Belgium has taken a significant step towards bolstering its defense capabilities by inaugurating a new production line dedicated to the manufacture of 155-millimeter artillery shells. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the national defense industry and diminish dependence on foreign suppliers.
The new facility, identified as the Large-Calibre Machining and Banding Unit, was officially opened by Defence Minister Théo Francken at the KNDS Belgium site in Petit-Roeulx-Lez-Nivelles, located in the Wallonia region. Equipped with advanced automated technologies, the unit is expected to enhance production efficiency and increase output.
This marks the third production line established by KNDS Belgium in the country, with a clear focus on meeting NATO standards for munitions, especially crucial in the wake of heightened demand triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. According to company director Jean-Michel Girard, a significant portion of the production, nearly 50%, will be allocated to meet the needs of the Belgian Armed Forces next year.
Currently, KNDS Belgium employs about 350 specialists and has a long-standing history of supplying munitions to the land forces of Belgium for almost 90 years. Operating as part of the larger Franco-German KNDS Group, the company specializes in the production of armored vehicles and ammunition throughout Europe.
During the inauguration ceremony, Francken emphasized the dual benefits of the project, underscoring its contributions to military readiness and the local economy. He stated, “By manufacturing our ammunition ourselves we keep the economic value added here and gain strategic strength.” Additionally, he noted that by 2026, as the CAESAR howitzers become operational, Belgian munitions will be in use, signaling a commitment to self-reliance in military capabilities.
