The Ministry of Defense will purchase 3,000 trucks “as quickly as possible”. This was stated by Minister Theo Francken during the event ‘Logistics resilience: the key to defence’ that VIL organized yesterday at LogiVille. “We need those trucks to ensure the logistics chain and safety. It will be the largest logistics contract ever.”
“The tender will open this year. We want different types of trucks: classic trucks, but also vehicles that have been adapted to combat situations, with extra security and armor. So it will be a broad mix of types. The tender has not yet been fully completed, it is too early to release all the details. We will spread the delivery of those 3,000 trucks over several years.”
“As far as logistics partners are concerned, we want to work with a consortium and an integrated approach. This means cooperation with inland shipping, aviation, railways, road transport and ports. There must be a partnership that can guarantee that we ensure ‘forward mobility’: moving troops quickly and efficiently to the eastern border, should a conflict ever arise there. We obviously hope that this will never be necessary, but we must be prepared.”
“Companies that are interested in participating can find information via the Defense website. We also organize information moments. You can also always request additional information, including via VOKA.”
Photo: Brigadier General Katrien D’Hert, Luk Lemmens (first deputy of the province of Antwerp), Minister of Defense Theo Francken and managing director Liesbeth Geysels of VIL.
