In 2008, the Belgian army withdrew from service 64 American M-109A4BE tracked howitzers with a caliber of 155 mm which were used in several artillery battalions in the meantime disbanded. In 2015, at least some of them were sold to a private Tisselt company, Flanders Technical Supply (FTS), which specializes in buying military surplus from all over the world, for the amount of 1.75 million dollars. euros including spare parts. The contract did not provide for a buyout condition by the Defence.
Recently, the Ukrainian authorities informed the Belgian Defense of their interest in these machines, refurbished shortly before their withdrawal from service, in its fight against the Russian army. “There was a discussion but, when we reconnected with the company, it had sold them. We do not have to know to whom it sold them, or how much”, explained Ms Dedonder in response to questions from Georges Dallemand (Les Engagés), Theo Francken (N-VA), Steven Creyelman (VB), Guillaume Defossé (Ecolo) and Kris Verduyckt (Vooruit).
But these machines have however taken the road to Ukraine, to hear the minister who says she does not know the details of the operation. According to his information, the arms firm OIP, whose vision systems have been part of Defense deliveries to the Ukrainian army in recent weeks, was commissioned by FTS.
“What interests us is that the Ukrainians can have this material, that’s the main thing,” added Ms. Dedonder.
The Minister wanted to be discreet about Belgian deliveries of military equipment to Ukraine. She says she is following the advice given within NATO in order not to compromise the security of operations and not to fuel an escalation in the conflict. The Council of Ministers approved urgent purchases on March 18, April 25 and May 6, she recalled. According to available information, these include FN weapons, vision equipment and protective equipment.
In opposition, MP Dallemand wanted to know if other artillery instruments would be supplied to Ukraine. To reconstitute a long-range artillery capability, the Council of Ministers gave its approval to the acquisition of nine French Caesar NG long-range artillery systems (CAmion Equipped with a New Generation Artillery System). But the acquisition and delivery of such systems to the Ukrainian forces is not “envisaged”, according to the minister.
The presence of these howitzers in the hangars of a private company saved the government from an internal debate on the supply of heavy equipment to Ukraine. In the eyes of Theo Francken (N-VA), however, the delivery of heavy artillery pieces is a question that will soon arise. “Let us help, let us do something – and I insist on heavy artillery pieces – to support Ukraine. The coming weeks will be crucial,” he warned.
Military aid to Ukraine is coordinated in Stuttgart by a unit led by the United States and the United Kingdom. The Ukrainian requests seem important. “Currently, the demand for help exceeds the supply, so duplication is virtually non-existent,” Dedonder said.
Independently of their delivery to Ukraine, the case of the howitzers has aroused the interest of several deputies who are wondering in particular about their purchase price by the private company, and which could be particularly low. The figure of 15,000 euros each was quoted in the press.