Belgium has unveiled a 20-year industry alliance designed to overhaul how the Belgian Army keeps its vehicles and weapon systems operational, signaling a major shift in military logistics and sustainment. The initiative aims to simplify maintenance, improve readiness, and reduce long-term dependency on fragmented supplier networks.
The effort is anchored by the new Land Systems Logistic Support (LS²) partnership, which unites John Cockerill Defense, FN Herstal, and Thales Belgium. Under the alliance, support for land vehicles, communications systems, and armaments will be centralized, replacing a patchwork of contracts with a single integrated structure.
Belgian defense officials say the model will boost operational availability, modernize maintenance practices, and reinforce the country’s technological sovereignty. LS² will gradually introduce more advanced tools and processes while ensuring continuity of support as existing maintenance activities are transferred into the new framework.
The rollout will begin across Belgian Army bases, focusing initially on fleet support transition and workforce capacity building. The move complements other recent defense initiatives, including US-backed sustainment for F-16s, F-35As, and MQ-9B drones, a long-term cyber defense partnership, and a multi-decade agreement with FN Herstal to secure small arms and ammunition supplies through 2043.
