Broad interest from Flemish parliament members in Defense and more specifically the VARIO advisory report regarding the opportunities and needs for the Flemish defense industry and innovation

In the Flemish Government Agreement 2024-2029, defense is for the first time indicated as a strategic sector. In the autumn of 2024 (and continuing into the spring of 2025), 'Defense' was frequently discussed in the committees for 'Foreign Policy, European Affairs and International Cooperation' and 'Economy, Work, Social Economy, Science and Innovation' (see, for example, this explanatory question). Various parliament members and Minister-President Diependaele referred to the VARIO advisory report 'Opportunities and needs for a broad Flemish defense industry and innovation'.