The Flemish government has approved a draft arms trade decree intended to simplify the legitimate trade in military goods, civilian firearms, essential components and ammunition, while also fostering a long-term industrial strategy for security and defence.

The announcement, made by Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele, reflects broader efforts to position Flanders as a more dynamic partner within European and NATO defence frameworks.

The new arms trade decree replaces a framework last amended in 2017 that many in the defence industry regarded as overly complex and rigid. Brussels-based officials have noted that the previous legislation was not only burdensome, but in parts went beyond the minimum requirements established by European Union law — a practice sometimes referred to as “gold plating.” The updated decree seeks to eliminate such excess regulatory weight by streamlining procedures and shortening processing times for legitimate trade, particularly within the EU and to long-standing partner nations, including NATO allies.

A cornerstone of the reform is procedural simplification. Under the new scheme, Flemish companies will find it easier to participate in cross-border cooperation and supply defence-related items to trusted partners. Officials hope this will not only reduce administrative delays, but also better align regional regulation with European standards. At the same time, the government has underscored that core safeguards will remain intact. The export ban on weapons to Israel, for example, will continue in force, and full permit procedures with rigorous end-use inspections are still to be required for transfers to high-risk destinations such as countries subject to sanctions or affected by armed conflict.

Complementing the arms trade reforms is the newly adopted Flemish Innovation and Industrial Strategy for Security and Defence (VISD), a component of the broader Defence Plan unveiled earlier in the year. The VISD sets out a roadmap for expanding Flanders’ defence industry, including the development of specialised sectors such as aviation, space technologies and artificial intelligence. Funding for the strategy is projected to grow from an initial €5 million in 2026 to up to €50 million annually by 2029, with part of those resources earmarked for initiatives such as the Defence Innovation Flanders Days — events designed to showcase and accelerate cutting-edge research.

For proponents of the reform, the impetus for change is clear: evolving geopolitical dynamics and heightened global uncertainty demand that Belgium’s defence industrial base be both more agile and more integrated with allied frameworks. With a federal government in Brussels also pursuing broader military investments — such as procurement of advanced systems and the broader military programming bill outlining defence priorities through 2034 — the regional reforms are seen as complementary to a national effort to bolster strategic capabilities.

Yet critics caution that such deregulation must be balanced with robust oversight. Civil society groups and some political parties have raised concerns that loosening trade controls, even for legitimate commerce, could inadvertently facilitate the diversion of sensitive equipment to unstable regions. Calls have grown, especially in light of broader debates within Belgium about arms transit and export, for transparent end-use monitoring and clear criteria governing when and where defence related goods can be sold or shipped.

Indeed, the question of oversight has been a recurring theme in Belgian defence discourse. Earlier this year a judge ruled that the government must halt all transit of military equipment to Israel in a case highlighting ambiguities in export and transit controls, a ruling that underscored the legal and ethical complexities inherent in regulating arms flows within the European context.

Supporters of the Flemish reforms argue that these safeguards will not be compromised. “Our objective is to facilitate legitimate trade without undermining security,” a spokesperson for the minister-president’s office said. “The updated framework aligns with EU directives and we maintain strict controls where necessary.” Such controls include full licensing and thorough end-use inspections for high-risk destinations, a provision designed to prevent misuse or diversion of sensitive equipment.

The VISD strategy also seeks to address broader structural challenges faced by the Flemish defence sector. By fostering innovation and encouraging collaboration between knowledge institutions and industry, regional officials hope to cultivate an ecosystem that not only serves Flanders but contributes meaningfully to EU and NATO needs. Stakeholders in sectors such as aerospace and AI view this as an opportunity to expand markets and deepen technological capabilities.

As Europe confronts mounting strategic pressures — from Russian assertiveness to instability in various Middle Eastern and African theatres — initiatives like the Flemish arms trade reforms and industrial strategy form part of a mosaic of efforts aimed at strengthening collective security. Whether these measures will achieve their intended balance of commercial facilitation and rigorous control remains to be seen, but the policy shift signals a willingness in Flanders to embrace a more assertive role in defence affairs.

In the coming months, attention will focus on how the decree is implemented, how swiftly procedures can be reformed in practice, and how effectively the strategy catalyses innovation within a sector that has traditionally been constrained by regulatory complexity. For now, the Flemish government’s decision represents a significant recalibration of regional defence policy amid an increasingly contested global landscape.

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