Belgium’s €14.4 billion tank shock: How defence deal went off the rails

What began as a straightforward defence contract has erupted into a major political scandal in Belgium, after a confidential report revealed that the cost of procuring armoured vehicles from France is expected to rise almost tenfold, from the originally agreed €1.5 billion to a staggering €14.4 billion.

The explosive revelation comes from a classified report by Belgium’s Court of Audit, parts of which were obtained and broadcast by Flemish TV channel, per Caliber.Az.

The report scrutinises a 2018 contract signed under the government of then-Prime Minister Charles Michel, who now serves as President of the European Council.

Under the agreement, Belgium entered into a joint defence program with France, known as CaMo (Capacité Motorisée), to acquire 382 Griffon 6x6 armoured vehicles and 60 Jaguar reconnaissance vehicles. FN Herstal, Belgium’s leading firearms manufacturer, was contracted to produce weapon turrets for the fleet.

At the time of the deal, the vehicles were still in the development phase. Production has since begun, with the first deliveries expected in 2026. However, the Court of Audit now estimates that the full cost of operating and maintaining the vehicles will reach €14.4 billion—nearly ten times the initial figure.

This ballooning figure includes not just the purchase of the vehicles, but a wide range of associated costs: the construction of new hangars, procurement of spare parts and ammunition, personnel training, and long-term maintenance. The report also warns that the final price tag could rise even further, particularly due to the sharp increase in construction costs in Belgium.

The revelations have triggered widespread outrage across the political spectrum. Several opposition parties are demanding a full-scale financial investigation and public disclosure of all findings.

Belgium’s Ministry of Defence has moved to deflect criticism, defending Michel and the 2018 agreement. Officials argue that the armoured vehicles were still in development when the contract was signed, making it impossible at the time to accurately forecast the long-term operational costs.

Still, the political fallout is mounting, and the CaMo program has now become a symbol of questionable transparency and spiralling military expenditures. As Belgium gears up for key elections, the armoured vehicle scandal may continue to reverberate far beyond the defence ministry.

By Tamilla Hasanova