This event, organized by the Department of Economy, Science and Innovation (EWI), aims to help Flemish companies capitalize on the growing European defense market. The 135 million euro investment serves as a leverage for innovative security and defense projects within this legislative period.
The gathering on October 27, 2026, in Mechelen facilitated collaboration among various stakeholders, including companies, knowledge institutions, defense experts, and policymakers, to strengthen Flanders' competitive position in the defense sector.
The information on this page also pertains to questions raised before the Committee for Work, Economy, Science, Innovation and Social Economy (WEWIS) on October 29, 2026. These questions concerned, among other things, the emergency brake for European regulations, the approach to 'gold-plating', the Flemish Defense Fund, investments in defense technology by Participatiemaatschappij Vlaanderen (PMV), the survival rate of Flemish companies, the future of the automotive industry, and CO2 capture projects in the Port of Antwerp.
Previous decisions by the Flemish Government on October 23, 2026, included support for Vlajo vzw and Unizo vzw, the replacement of a member of PMV, and tailored measures for collective integration.
