Page "Belgian Army" Paragraph 24

Belgium, which is a member of the NATO and the EU, is currently restructuring its army to be able to faster respond to humanitarian crises or disasters occurring in the world ( peacekeeping ).

In order to do so, the Belgian Army is currently phasing out all tracked vehicles in favour of wheeled vehicles.

Examples are the new MOWAG Piranha and Dingo 2 vehicles currently bought to replace vehicles such as the Leopard 1A5BE.

In addition, the air component is buying new aircraft such as the Airbus A400M, NHI NH90 to accompany other aircraft for humanitarian missions such as the Agusta 109 and Alouette 2 / 3 helicopters.

The transition will be complete by 2015.

Due to Belgium's often-complicated politics, restructuring has led to decisions seen by some as illogical, such as the decision to mount the ( very uncommon ) CMI 90 mm cannon on the Piranha 3 ( munition is very scarce and only made by a handful of manufacturers ; it will probably be supplied by Mécar ).

Finally, other controversies have arisen around the relocation of Belgium ’ s ‘ cavalry school ´.