“The total cost [de ce double projet] amounts to around 865 million euros “said the Minister of Defense, Theo Francken (N-VA) said on Saturday, on network X. The cost of the headquarters, an infrastructure of some 150,000 m², is 728.1 million euros and will be taken care of by NATO. That of the NCIA building and its 25,000 m² amounts to 137.4 million euros and will be assumed by the Belgian state.
Launched by the Di Rupo government
It was in October 2013, already, that the Di Rupo government endowed the reconstruction of the Shape. At the time, we were talking about an approximate overall amount of 180 million euros: 140 million for the HQ, 40 million for the NCIA. The latter was then supposed to get out of the ground in 2017, and the HQ, one or two years later.
180 million to rebuild the whole shape
NATO would also have threatened Belgium to remove the NCIA because of the weakness of its military investments.
But the project was reconsidered, redesigned. NATO would also have threatened Belgium to remove the NCIA because of the weakness of its military investments. “”We are in great investigation at the diplomatic level to maintain the NCIA in Belgium and organize consultation with NATO in this regard “said Prime Minister Bart de Wever (N-VA), in his presentation of political orientation presented in mid-March in parliament.
Is an important NATO agency really about to leave Belgium?
In the end, Belgium will keep the NCIA well and its 700 direct jobs (according to estimates from 2013). “”After years of limited participation, Belgium fully assumes its responsibilities within NATOboasted Theo Francken on Saturday. Our investments in the Shape and the NCIA Center are part of a broader plan by which our country undertakes to reach the norm this year [otanienne] Of 2 % of GDP devoted to defense expenses. “
Relaunched by the Croo government
The Croo government had already relaunched the project in November 2020 by approving a budget of 90.7 million euros for the construction of the NCIA. “”Due to additional technical requirements and higher inflation until 2028, an additional budget of 46.7 million euros proved to be necessary “explains the Francken cabinet. This increase was therefore approved on Wednesday by the Council of Ministers, bringing the cost of the NCIA building to 137.4 million euros.
“These projects (QG and NCIA, editor’s note) will generate many opportunities for local construction companieswas still welcomed the Minister of Defense. The work will bring significant impulse to the regional economy during the production phase, and will subsequently lead to the creation of sustainable additional jobs around new neighborhoods. “
