Belgium continues to pursue big changes to the Artillery Batallion in its Land Forces by increasing the range and mobility of its systems.
Under a joint initiative with France, the 2018 Capacités Motorisée (CaMo) agreement, or ‘Motorised Capacity’ in English, is designed to bring about what the Belgian Government has labelled a “true rennaissance” in its artillery capabilities.
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Although CaMo has been in place for more than five years, Belgium continues to increase its artillery ambitions, prompted by a security climate that has grown insecure since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine mobilised all of Europe during the past two years.
As part of the CaMo artillery plan, Belgium will procure 382 Griffon armoured vehicles and 60 Jaguar infantry fighting vehicles in total; two 120-millimetre (mm) Griffon batteries will be delivered in 2028.
In addition to these plans, in 2021, the government also procured nine 155mm Caesar howitzer systems and has since continued to procure ten more. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) recently stated it currently plans to induct 24 155mm Caesar howitzer systems in the short-term.
In mid-May 2024, a demonstration of the new Caesar and Griffon vehicles took place in Brasschaat, under the eye of the Vice-Chief of Defence, Lieutenant General Vansina, accompanied by a delegation of Belgian and French generals and colonels.
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By GlobalDataCaesar can fire six rounds per minute and its 155mm gun has a range of 40 kilometres. This capability makes it possible to prepare the terrain, neutralize threats and attack targets with formidable precision.
Belgium’s existing artillery systems
Notably the Belgian Army’s existing artillery systems are looking increasingly tired as the service operates 6×6 and 8×8 Pandur units, YP-408 and the Eland Mk7 fighting vehicles, among others – almost all of which were procured throughout the 1990s.
“Today our 105mm and 120mm weapon systems are performing well, but we would like to improve the mobility of our artillery, increase its range and strengthen fire support for units that need it,” relayed Lieutenant Colonel Verstraelen, Corps Commander of the Belgian Artillery Battalion.
Besides equipping the Army with extended mobility and more powerful guns, CaMo also ensures interoperability with foreign partners. According to GlobalData intelligence, France similarly operates 77 Caesar howitzers, 20 Jaguar infantry fighting vehicles and 1,872 Griffon units.
Furthermore, it was announced that a second Artillery Battalion will also be established in the southern part of the country in 2035.
“We are currently spread over two sites: Brasschaat and Lombardsijde. From next year we want to open a third, French-speaking branch in Marche-en-Famenne. This makes our unit bilingual,” explained Verstraelen.
Meanwhile, a training centre in Marche-en-Famenne will open its doors in the summer of 2025.
