On Friday 23 July 2021, Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and Minister of Defense, François Bausch, presented the new bill on the organisation of the Luxembourg army: this bill, which had been adopted earlier in the day by the Cabinet, constitutes an overhaul of the law of 23 July 1952 concerning military organisation.
"The current law, the foundations of which date back to the days of the Cold War, no longer reflects the needs of a 21st century army," Minister Bausch said. "The geopolitical and security situation has radically changed since the last adaptation of the current law, carried out in 2007. The bill which will be tabled in the Chamber of Deputies in the coming days will give a solid legal basis to the army in order to enable it to adapt to the challenges to come.”
The rapid evolution of technology, both in the civilian and military realms, has a strong impact on the military, its missions, needs and challenges. In addition, there are growing demands for support from civil authorities in the context of crises or natural disasters. This development implies a growing need for military and civilian personnel, increasingly diversified, with increasingly specialised qualifications and specialisations.
The new law will thus allow the army to adapt military and civilian careers to new needs and to recruit very diverse profiles while adapting the initial engagement period of volunteer soldiers, which will be changed from three to four years.
"I am convinced that this bill will give the army the means necessary to face the challenges to come, but also that through this law the army will become more attractive to the public, as well in military careers, in particular at the level of specialists in the fields of aviation, cyber defence and communication technologies,” concluded Minister Bausch.
The extra cost implications are understood to be in the range of €2.3 million annually.
