Belgian Defense Industry Set to Double: Creating 8,000 New Jobs by 2033

Introduction: A Growing Defense Ecosystem

The Belgian defense and security industry stands at a turning point. According to a recent study by Agoria released on March 5, 2025, this sector could double in size over the next eight years. This growth isn't just about numbers on a spreadsheet—it represents up to 8,000 new job opportunities and a chance for engineers to make a real difference.

Think of Belgium's defense industry as a garden that has been quietly growing for years. Now, with the right care and conditions, it's ready to bloom in ways we haven't seen before. This growth comes at a time when Europe faces pressure to boost defense investments, creating both challenges and opportunities.

A stronger defense industry would enhance Belgium's position globally:

Increased exports would improve trade balances

Technical expertise would establish Belgium as a leader in specific areas

International partnerships would strengthen diplomatic and military ties

The Current Landscape of Belgian Defense

Size and Economic Impact

Today's Belgian defense sector is already impressive in scope. Looking at the numbers:

Over 80 direct suppliers to the armed forces generate 2 billion€ in yearly revenue

These companies provide 5,000 direct jobs

The wider defense and security ecosystem includes 511 technology companies

This broader network generates 4 billion€ in revenue and creates more than 13,000 direct jobs

When counting all organizations with defense activities, Belgium hosts 892 companies with 5 billion€ combined revenue and 16,300 direct jobs

Regional Distribution

What makes Belgium's defense industry unique is how it spreads across the country:

Jobs are split nearly evenly between Flanders and Wallonia (44% each)

Brussels accounts for the remaining 12% of jobs

Company locations tell a different story: 53% in Flanders, 36% in Wallonia

Walloon companies, in particular, tend to be larger and focus on aerospace and traditional military products. Beyond size, the Walloon defense ecosystem is built around a network of world-class specialists and subcontractors that concentrate on high-value niche technologies. This specialization has garnered international recognition and enabled participation in major innovation and procurement programs. Supporting this dynamic is Wallonie Entreprendre (WE), the economic arm of the Walloon government, which holds significant stakes in key players such as FN Herstal (100%), Sonaca (92%), and Safran Aero Boosters (31%).

In contrast, Flemish firms cover a wider range of technologies, while in Brussels, aerospace and cybersecurity dominate the local defense scene. Think of this distribution as a family where Wallonia is the experienced older sibling with deep expertise, Flanders the versatile middle child, and Brussels the specialist focused on cutting-edge fields.

Industry Sector Breakdown

The defense industry isn't a one-size-fits-all field. Employment spreads across various specialties:

Weapon systems, munitions, and ground vehicles: 28% of jobs

Digital services and cybersecurity: 20%

Aerospace: 16%

Electronics: 10%

Aerospace technologies, mechanics and drones: 5%

Materials (including bulletproof vests): 5%

Other sectors: 11%

This variety means the industry offers paths for many different types of engineers and professionals, from traditional manufacturing to cutting-edge digital security.

Recent Developments and Key Investments in Wallonia

The Walloon defense sector has recently demonstrated significant momentum through strategic investments and developments:

John Cockerill Defense Milestones:

Formerly known as CMI, John Cockerill Defense integrated Agueris driving simulators in 2023 and incorporated French armored vehicles from Arquus in 2024—the latter marking its role as the first supplier to the French army with 1,800 employees. These moves have propelled the company to exceed 1 billion euros in revenue and secure its place among the top 100 global defense companies. In a bold initiative, the company has even proposed repurposing an abandoned Audi plant in Forest to assemble new vehicles.

Contracts and Investments:

FN Herstal, renowned for its fusil-mitrailleur Minimi, recently secured a landmark contract worth 1.3 billion euros to supply the Belgian army with NATO-standard small-caliber ammunition over the next 20 years. Complementing this, ongoing investments of 100 million euros in the Herstal and Zutendaal plants are set to bolster production capacities and foster technological advancements.

Analysis: Growth Factors and Challenges

Job Creation and Economic Benefits

If projections hold true and the industry doubles in size:

More than 4,000 new direct jobs will be created

Another 4,000 indirect jobs will follow

Engineering and technical roles will be in high demand

Regional economies will benefit from increased economic activity

This growth resembles planting trees that will provide shade and fruit for years to come—the benefits extend far beyond immediate gains.

Challenges and Strategic Priorities

Despite promising potential, several roadblocks stand in the way:

Public Perception Issues

One major hurdle is how people view the defense industry. Many still don't recognize its role in producing essential security products. Changing this mindset is like trying to convince someone that vaccines aren't just shots but vital public health tools—it takes time and communication.

Financial & Insurance Obstacles

Despite the clear need for investment to stay competitive internationally, banks remain cautious about financing defense projects. This creates a chicken-and-egg problem: growth requires funding, but funding wants to see growth first. Insurance providers also demonstrate reluctance to provide coverage for projects in the defense sector, including projectsourcing or freelance partnerships.

Regulatory and Export Challenges

Belgium faces stricter export and transit regulations compared to neighboring countries—like running a race with extra weight. Additionally, the short validity period of export licenses (just 18 months) further complicates long-term planning for companies.

Strategic Perspectives

As military budgets increase, determining their optimal allocation remains an open question. There is an urgent need for a coordinated reflection on the equipment and strategies European nations collectively require. Priorities include countering potential American disengagement in Ukraine, rebuilding ammunition stocks, and developing a more autonomous defense capability. The Belgian Defense Minister, Theo Francken (N-VA), is actively working on a plan to determine these new investments, emphasizing the critical role of strategic governance.

Softskills required to work in the defence sector in Belgium

AETHER has an extensive collaborationship history with most of the key belgian defence actors since 2014. If you are willing to contribute to these challenges check our Job page or send your spontaneous candidature.

Beyond technical expertise, the defense industry demands a robust set of interpersonal and professional competencies that transform good engineers into exceptional team members. These soft skills provide the human foundation that turns technical capabilities into mission success. The soft skills that our industrial partners consistently value are:

Communication and Relationship Building

Defense professionals must excel in both verbal and written communication, demonstrating conversational fluency and relationship-building prowess. The ability to present complex information clearly, listen actively with genuine empathy, and facilitate productive meetings across diverse stakeholder groups forms the cornerstone of effective collaboration in high-stakes environments.

Teamwork and Collaborative Spirit

Individual talent matters, but collective success depends on seamless cooperation. Today's multidisciplinary challenges require professionals who readily share ideas, support colleagues, and, when appropriate, provide mentorship to develop team capabilities. No complex defense system is built by a single mind; they emerge from collaborative excellence.

Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving

Defense professionals must display sharp analytical thinking, synthesizing information from disparate sources while maintaining healthy skepticism. The ability to evaluate complex situations, exercise sound judgment under uncertainty, and reach well-reasoned decisions separates exceptional contributors from merely competent ones.

Precision, Organization and Self-Direction

The meticulous nature of defense work demands the precision of a watchmaker—rigorous adherence to procedures, masterful time and priority management, and reliable delivery against commitments. Self-motivated professionals who take initiative while respecting established frameworks bring tremendous value through their ability to advance objectives with minimal supervision.

Adaptability and Stress Management

Much like seasoned pilots navigating turbulence, defense professionals must demonstrate flexibility in changing conditions while maintaining composure under pressure. The ability to pivot strategically when circumstances shift while performing effectively during high-stakes situations proves invaluable in an industry defined by evolving challenges.

Leadership and Initiative

True leaders in the defense sector act as both visionaries and catalysts—naturally unifying teams around shared objectives while proactively identifying improvement opportunities. The capacity to make sound decisions quickly, even with incomplete information, exemplifies the decisive mindset essential for success in defense and security environments.

These interpersonal capabilities complement technical expertise to create the complete professional profile that Belgium's growing defense industry increasingly seeks as it expands to meet tomorrow's security challenges.

Engineering Standards for the defence sector in Belgium

The sector demands a broad set of skills related to mechanics and embedded systems, underpinned by some of the most demanding compliance policies. A comprehensive framework of stringent standards serves as the bedrock for system design, development, and quality assurance:

ISO 9001 provides universal quality management principles, further refined for aerospace by EN 9100, which adds essential safety and traceability elements.

For defense suppliers, NATO's AQAP standards (including 2110 and 2310) establish exacting quality requirements.

DO-254 guides the development of airborne electronic hardware, while ARP4754 offers integrated approaches for complex aerospace systems.

Software development benefits from frameworks like POSIX for consistent operating system interfaces and MISRA for safety-critical embedded applications.

Additional specialized standards—JSF, HIC++, and ARP-4764A—address unique challenges in avionics and system risk management.

Military standards such as MIL-STD-882E and MIL-STD-498, alongside process improvement methodologies like CMMi, ensure robust and well-controlled development processes.

For aviation software, DO-178C (particularly at Design Assurance Levels C and B) sets demanding criteria, while EN50128 governs railway control systems.

Finally, standards like STANAG 4586 and DDS facilitate critical interoperability and real-time data distribution in unmanned and distributed systems.

The Road Ahead: Partnering for Success

The vision of doubling Belgium's defense industry extends far beyond economic metrics—it represents a transformative opportunity to enhance national security, create fulfilling careers, and position Belgium as a recognized leader in strategic technologies.

For engineers and project managers, this expanding sector offers something increasingly rare: the chance to apply cutting-edge technical expertise to projects with profound real-world impact. Similar to the master craftsmen who built Europe's great cathedrals, today's defense professionals can create systems and solutions designed to protect and endure for generations—challenging work with genuine significance.

Success in this ambitious journey requires orchestrating a precise harmony between public support, private investment, and exceptional talent. By effectively addressing current challenges—from outdated industry perceptions and cautious financing to regulatory hurdles and recruitment obstacles—Belgium can achieve more than industrial growth; it can fundamentally strengthen its economic resilience and security posture. A comprehensive strategy that leverages specialized regional strengths, like those in Wallonia, combined with sustained investment and regulatory reform, will be key to driving this growth.

AETHER is committed to playing a vital role in fostering authentic connections between Belgium's innovative industries and the exceptional engineering talent working throughout the country. Together, we can build not just defense systems, but a stronger, more secure future for Belgium.