Belgian MP Kjell Vander Elst (Open VLD) called on Saturday for the federal consultation committee to meet and discuss the country’s security situation.
Vander Elst’s appeal followed remarks made by Defence Chief Frederik Vansina in Het Laatste Nieuws, urging the federal government to declare a state of crisis.
Vansina suggested that declaring a crisis would allow the government to expedite processes such as arms procurement. He noted, “It’s either war or peace, but currently, we’re in a hybrid state where the threat is increasing.”
Vansina highlighted the need for a national security assessment scale, similar to the threat levels determined by OCAD, and stated, “Defining this crisis would enable actions that aren’t possible in peacetime.”
He also mentioned faster weapon acquisitions and securing ports and digital networks as priorities, criticising the current slow and cumbersome procurement processes compared to other nations.
The Defence staff is currently preparing a proposal for Defence Minister Theo Francken.
