Luxembourg; Government approves record €2.6 Billion Defense  

On May 8, 2024, the government of Luxembourg announced a historic €2.6 billion investment, the largest in its history, to modernize its armed forces. Defense Minister Yuriko Backes, alongside Army Chief of Staff General Steve Thull, unveiled the new defense bill that will see the acquisition of a fleet of advanced armored vehicles including French-made Griffon, Jaguar and Serval vehicles.

This new investment will provide the Luxembourg  army with 16 Griffon multi-role armored vehicles, 38 Jaguar armored reconnaissance and combat vehicles, and 5 Serval light multi-role armored vehicles over the next 30 years. This fleet will enhance the Luxembourgish army’s operational capabilities and ensure interoperability with NATO and European Union forces, particularly those of Belgium and France.

Minister Backes emphasized the necessity of the investment, stating it was crucial for Luxembourg to remain a reliable partner within international defense frameworks. The acquisition includes sophisticated weapon, protection, and communication subsystems, tailored to the army’s operational needs.

This upgrade is not only about enhancing military strength but also aligning with the Luxembourgish army’s existing assets, like the CLRV vehicles acquired in 2022. The full integration of these new vehicles with existing systems is expected by 2025, aligning with the French Scorpion program to ensure enhanced operational synergy.