This article represents the structure of the Belgian Armed Forces as of May 2020:
Chief of Defence
The Belgian Armed Forces are headed by the Chief of Defence with the rank of General, who is assisted by a Vice-Chief of Staff and three Assistant Chief of Staff (ACOS) with the rank of Lieutenant General. Six general directorates headed by Major Generals manage the bureaucratic aspects of the Belgian Armed Forces.[1]
Chief of Defence
Vice-Chief of Defence
Policy & Governance Support Cluster (Gv Spt)
Staff Department Strategy (ACOS Strat)
Staff Department Operations and Training (ACOS Ops & Trg)
Staff Department Intelligence and Security (ACOS IS)
Defense Inspector General
General Directorate Health & Well-being (DG H&WB)
General Directorate Legal Support (DG Jur)
General Directorate Strategic Communication (DG StratCom)
General Directorate Budget and Finances (DG BF)
General Directorate Material Resources (DG MR)
General Directorate Human Resources (DG HR)
Land Component
Air Component
Maritime Component
Medical Component
Land Component
The Land Component (French: Composante TerreDutch: Landcomponent) is commanded by a Major general and has the following organization:
Land Component Operational Command (COMOPSLAND), in Evere[2]
Headquarters and Services Squadron, A and B squadrons with Pandur IB reconnaissance vehicles (will be replaced by EBRC Jaguar) and Voltigeurs Platoons for dismounted reconnaissance, C Squadron with Elta SCB-2130A radars, D Squadron (Training)
Headquarters and Services Company, 3 × infantry companies with Dingo 2 infantry mobility vehicles (will be replaced by VBMR Griffons) and 1 × reserve infantry company (German speaking?)
Headquarters and Services Battery, Mortar Battery with 120mm mortars, Howitzer Battery with LG1 105mm howitzers (a third battery armed with 155 mm howitzers will be raised)
The 2nd Tactical Wing is one of two Air Component fighter wings and operates F-16AM Falcon fighters, which will be replaced by F-35A Lightning II from 2023.[28]
The 10th Tactical Wing is one of two Air Component fighter wings and operates F-16AM/BM Falcon fighters, which will be replaced by F-35A Lightning II from 2023.[29] As part of NATO's nuclear sharing the US Air Force's 701st Munitions Support Squadron, 52nd Fighter Wing stores B61 tactical nuclear weapons at Kleine Brogel for use with Belgian F-16AM Falcon.
15th Air Transport Wing operates the tactical and strategic airlift aircraft of the Belgian Armed Forces. Additionally it provides VIP transport services to the Belgian government.
20th Squadron (Tactical airlift), with C-130H Hercules planes (being replaced by 8 A400M Atlas in 2020-23[30]) Two A400Ms are currently operable, one of which is owned and partially operated by the Luxembourg Air Force, but assigned to the 20th.
The Naval Component (Dutch: MarinecomponentFrench: Composante marine) is commanded by a Divisional admiral.[32] The Maritime Component's ships fall operationally under the joint Belgian-Dutch Maritime Headquarters Benelux in Den Helder, which is commanded by the Dutch Admiral Benelux. The commander of the Belgian Naval Component doubles as Deputy Admiral Benelux.[33]