“We are ready to assist in building a strong European defense industry,” says Jan Bonte, CEO of the Oostkamp-based military company Advionics. On Tuesday morning, Minister of Defense Theo Francken (N-VA) paid a company visit. The factory is expanding its production capacity by half through the construction of a new 6,000 m² factory hall to anticipate increased defense spending in Belgium and Europe.
Jan Bonte, CEO of Advionics, had three concrete proposals for Minister of Defense Theo Francken when he arrived at Siemenslaan in Oostkamp on Tuesday. “Our country will be investing heavily in defense in the coming years. Our company can offer social return for the purchase of anti-aircraft artillery.”
“We also hope that the Belgian and Dutch Navies will purchase our new, perfected radar system, with which the German navy is already being equipped. Finally, we can offer extra military production capacity. An additional business unit of 6,000 m² is already under construction here at our site. Many millions of euros are being invested in this, spread over several years.”
Radars
“For forty years, Advionics in Oostkamp was the military branch of the German Siemens, and for twelve years of Airbus, until 2016 when it switched to its own group via a management buyout, together with Intersoft Electronics, which has four branches in our country.” — Thibaud Dauw, CFO
The Oostkamp company specializes in the development and production of highly sophisticated radars for military purposes. “Our industry has had the wind in its sails in recent years due to the tense global situation,” admits Jan Bonte. “Since the start of the war in Ukraine, we have increased our military production capacity.”
New Construction
“In 2024, we had our building plans drawn up; the new 6,000 m² construction on our site is almost finished, allowing us to produce 50 percent more. We wanted to show the Minister of Defense on Tuesday what we can offer. We anticipated this long before the federal government decided to invest more in Defense.”
Jan Bonte pointed out to Minister Theo Francken the social return Advionics can offer if Defense spends part of the increased budget on new contracts with the Oostkamp company: “200 people work here; our strategic plan anticipates hiring twenty additional people every year. Provided we find qualified personnel; recruitment is difficult. In ten years, we have already evolved from 140 to 200 jobs. We want to step it up a notch.”
According to Thibaud Dauw, the recent ‘employer branding’ campaign on social media has already borne fruit: “This makes it easier for us to fill our vacancies for machine operators, production staff for soldering and assembly, and warehouse workers. Thanks to the media attention, more and more young engineers are willing to work for our innovative company.”
Navy
Advionics has already delivered fourteen high-tech radars to the German Navy and hopes to soon secure contracts with the Belgian and Dutch Navies, which cooperate closely. “We want to discuss that with Minister Francken,” said Jan Bonte.
Belgium has previously announced that it will purchase nine Norwegian anti-aircraft batteries through a collaboration with the Netherlands. There are opportunities for the Oostkamp company in that area as well.