Belgium announces increase in NATO Rapid Reaction Force: what is the country preparing for

Belgian Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder said that her country would increase the number of troops on alert in NATO in 2025. This is reported by The Brussels Times, according to UNN.

Details

The number of Belgian soldiers on standby for the Alliance will be tripled or even quadrupled.

According to Ludivine Dedonder, in 2025, nearly 1,500 troops will be deployed in Belgium. They will be ready to deploy in a few weeks or even days if NATO requires it. In addition, from 650 to 1400 soldiers will be deployed abroad, depending on the time of year. This is 20% more than last year.

The goal remains deterrence, but also to increase our level of readiness

Also, a detachment of 300 soldiers as part of NATO's Multinational Task Force to protect the Alliance's eastern flank will rotate to Romania, and four Belgian F-16s that performed an air defense mission in Lithuania in 2024 will be deployed to Iceland next year to "strengthen the Belgian presence in Northern Europe.

The Defense Minister said that in 2025 Belgium will return to the International Peacekeeping Force in Kosovo.

In 2025, Belgium will also return to KFOR, NATO's force in Kosovo. This will include the first operational use of the new unmanned reconnaissance capability of the Chasseurs à Cheval battalion or ISTAR (intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance)

Four Belgian F-16s, which flew an air defense mission in Lithuania in 2024, will be deployed to Iceland next year to "consolidate Belgium's presence in Northern Europe," the minister added.

Recall

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned of russia's intentions to destroy Ukraine and start a long-lasting confrontation with Europe. He called for increased defense spending and preparation for possible drone attacks.