Belgium allocates €30 million to strengthen Ukrainian CBRN capabilities
The Belgian Ministry of Defence has just spent nearly €30 million to urgently bolster Ukraine’s capabilities for countering CBRN threats. According to information published by Forces Operations, two contracts to this end have been awarded to two separate companies.
According to Forces Operations, the contracts were awarded between mid-June and late July but only announced on 7 August. While specific quantities were not disclosed, each contract runs for a one-year term. In both instances, the "imperative urgency" of Ukraine's needs allowed for the selection of solutions without going through a formal tendering process.
Valued at nearly €20 million, the first contract covers the delivery of Falcon 4G chemical agent detection systems to both Ukrainian and Belgian forces. Manufactured by the Slovak company SEC Technologies, this portable detector has an effective range of up to 6km. It is currently used by around ten countries, including Ukraine, the United States and Luxembourg.
The second contract, valued at over €11 million, involves the delivery of FM53 gas masks and CS-PAPR respiratory systems by the British group Avon Protection. The two pieces of equipment can be combined to form a tactical respirator featuring multiple modes, including negative pressure and powered air-purifying (ventilated) options.
In addition to the above contracts, Belgium has pledged to contribute €100 million in 2026 to NATO’s "Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List" initiative. Furthermore, another contract worth €30 million was awarded in early July to the Belgian company ILIAS Solutions to supply over a thousand user licenses for the ILIAS Enterprise software, which focuses on support operations.
Speaking in early June hwile addressing members of the National Defence Committee, Belgian defence minister Theo Francken said: "Support for Ukraine remains a priority for Belgium, whether through the Ukraine Defence Contact Group and the EU, or bilaterally within the framework of the 2024 security agreement.
"Belgium is also participating in a coalition of volunteers led by France and the United Kingdom—a coalition aiming to provide Ukraine with security guarantees in anticipation of a future peace agreement."
