FN Herstal
HSSD at the heart of the Belgian defence industry
As part of their training, the participants (also called ‘auditors’) of the 20th session of the High Studies for Security and Defence (HSSD) had the unique opportunity to visit on 2 December FN Herstal, one of the jewels of the Belgian defence industry.
A historic and strategic company
Founded in 1889 in Herstal, near Liège, FN Herstal is now a key player in the field of light weapons for armed forces and security services worldwide. As the Defence and Security division of FN Browning Group, it plays a key role in the Belgian and international weapons industry.
A visit inside a world-leading company
The day began with a welcome and briefing at FN Herstal, followed by a tour of the site in multiple groups. The auditors were able to discover the design, manufacturing and assembly processes of the weapons developed by the company, and also to gain a better understanding of the industrial, technological and strategic challenges associated with the production of ultramodern weapons.
Field experience: demonstrations and firing exercises
The afternoon continued at the Zutendaal site, where the auditors watched firing demonstrations and had the opportunity to test certain weapons under supervision. This was a very special experience, enabling the auditors to gain a better understanding of the ergonomics, precision and performance of the equipment used by the armed forces and security services.
A stronger link between industry and defence strategy
Beyond the technological discovery, this visit is fully in line with the mission of the HSSD: creating bridges between strategic decision-makers and industrial players in the defence sector. By allowing the auditors to interact directly with FN Herstal experts, this immersion helps to strengthen the network between industry and future security and defence policymakers.
