Ministry of Defence (Belgium)
The Ministry of Defence (Dutch: Ministerie van Defensie, French: Ministère de la Défense) is a ministry of the Belgian government responsible for national defence and the armed forces, known as the Belgian Defence (Dutch: Defensie, French: La Défense).
Its primary mission is to contribute to the security of Belgium and its allies, protecting its population and values. This is achieved through a range of activities, including military operations, peacekeeping missions, humanitarian aid, and providing support to civilian authorities in times of crisis.
The Ministry is responsible for the overall management of the Belgian Defence, including recruitment, training, equipment, and infrastructure. It formulates and implements defence policy, and represents Belgium in international defence cooperation, particularly within NATO and the European Union. The Minister of Defence is the political head of the Ministry, overseeing the Chief of Defence (CHOD), who is the professional head of the armed forces. The CHOD is responsible for the operational command and control of the Belgian Defence.
The Ministry's responsibilities encompass a wide range of areas, including:
- National security and defence policy
- Military operations and deployments
- International defence cooperation
- Budget and resource management for the Belgian Defence
- Recruitment and training of military personnel
- Procurement of military equipment
- Maintenance of defence infrastructure
- Cybersecurity and information warfare
The Ministry of Defence is located in Brussels. Its structure includes various departments and directorates-general responsible for different aspects of defence policy and management.