Belgium and Luxembourg sign agreement on binational reconnaissance battalion

Belgian Defence Minister Ludivine Dedonder and Luxembourg Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister François Bausch signed a co-operation agreement on 15 June on the establishment of a binational reconnaissance battalion. (Belgian MoD)

Belgian Defence Minister Ludivine Dedonder and François Bausch signed a co-operation agreement on 15 June on the establishment of a binational reconnaissance battalion, the Belgian Ministry of Defence and Luxembourgs government announced in press releases the same day. The two ministers signed a declaration of intent to establish the unit in October 2022.

The 700-strong battalion will be formed and equipped to conduct national or multinational missions or operations in support of international or regional organisations like NATO, the EU, or the UN. The unit will be equipped with various special reconnaissance vehicles that will be interoperable with equipment of the Franco-Belgian Capacité Motorisée (Motorised Capability CaMo) programme.

The battalion will be established in three phases. The initial phase will be centred on Marche-en-Famenne, southern Belgium, for the Belgian army, and Diekirch, Luxembourg, for the Luxembourg Army, with initial integration in the Belgian town. The intermediate phase will see the gradual establishment of the binational battalion in the Belgian town of Arlon just across the border with Luxembourg, and the progressive entry into service of installations in the Grand Duchy. The battalion is expected to reach its maximum integration during the final phase in around 2030, centred in Arlon with a major footprint in Luxembourg.

Dedonder placed the formation of the binational battalion in the context of the excellent defence co-operation our two countries have, citing as examples their binational A400M air transport unit and the Royal Military Academy in Brussels, which officer cadets from Luxembourg attend.