Belgium puts six F-16s on stand-by

Belgium can deliver six F-16s and two C-130s as well as offer additional military support to the international coalition against Islamic State (IS), announced Defence Minister Pieter De Crem in parliament. Together with his colleague for foreign affairs Didier Reynders, De Crem made the announcement at a joint meeting of the two competent parliamentary committees looking into the possibility of Belgium joining the international coalition against IS. Belgium has not yet received any official request.

De Crem gave details of the realistic contribution Belgium could make to the international effort. "The Defence department would be able to lend six F-16 fighter aircraft and supply 120 soldiers to help with ground support for an indefinite period of time," said De Crem. “Our country’s support could be used for tasks ranging from the neutralisation of objects on the ground to gathering tactical intelligence."

In addition, Belgium would also be willing to offer two C-130 transport aircraft with a team of thirty soldiers for a fixed period of time and one C-130 for an indefinite period.

The Belgian army would be in a position to assist with the training of Iraqi and Kurdish fighters. "The army can deploy up to three groups of Special Forces, about 35 soldiers, to deliver training, advice and assistance to Iraqi and Kurdish forces," said De Crem. Combat troops would not be deployed. "We do not intend to put troops on the ground," confirmed Reynders.