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The Flemish Government concluded 2025 with two important initiatives in the field of defence and security. On 19 December 2025, the Council of Ministers approved both the Flemish Innovation and Industrial Strategy for Security and Defence (FISD) and the draft for a new Arms Trade Decree. In doing so, the Flemish Government promotes investments in companies in the Defence Industry and presents a revised legal framework aimed at facilitating legitimate trade in military goods.”
The Flemish Innovation and Industrial Strategy for Security and Defence (FISD)
The Flemish Government had already approved the Flemish Defence Plan on 4 April 2025. The Flemish Innovation and Industrial Strategy for Security and Defence (FISD), adopted by the Council of Ministers on 19 December 2025, fits within the ambition of the Flemish Defence Plan to set up a specific stimulus programme.
The FISD is a long-term plan to strengthen and expand Flemish defence technology and industry. In this way, Flanders seeks to respond to geopolitical shifts, changes in the international security situation, technological acceleration and the need for strategic autonomy.
The FISD is based on three pillars:
- Investing in the defence industry
- Promoting research, development and innovation (R&D&I)
- Facilitating companies in this sector through subsidies, co-investments and supporting policies
The rollout of the FISD will take place via orientation roadmaps in domains where Flanders is already strong, such as maritime applications, aviation and (counter-)UAS, space, AI, cyber security, biotechnology, autonomous systems, and energy/geo-intelligence. Funds are reserved for these every year, which could rise to € 50 million by 2029. The rollout of this strategy offers prospects for Flemish companies with ambitions in the defence sector.
More information about the approval of the VISD can be found here.
The new Arms Trade Decree
In the same Council of Ministers on 19 December 2025, the Flemish Government also approved the draft decree to regulate the import, export, transit and transfer of military goods, civilian firearms, essential components and ammunition (in short, the Arms Trade Decree).
The Flemish Government considers it necessary to organise efficient and effective export control, for which a revision of the 2017 Arms Trade Decree was deemed necessary. This responds to today’s changed geopolitical situation and to the importance of investments in defence and security.
With the new Arms Trade Decree, the Flemish Government pursues a dual objective. On the one hand, it aims to facilitate the legitimate trade in military goods, civilian firearms, essential components and ammunition, as well as participation in EU defence projects. On the other hand, the decree is intended to prevent the undesirable proliferation and misuse of weapons.
The draft decree will now be submitted for advice to the SERV and the Flemish Supervisory Commission for the processing of personal data.
More information about the approval of the draft Arms Trade Decree can be found here.