The Luxembourg Army welcomed a record crowd on Sunday, with more than 10,000 visitors passing through the gates of the Grand-Duc Jean barracks in Härebierg by early afternoon.
A packed programme of demonstrations and displays gave the public a rare glimpse into the military’s evolving capabilities and recruitment plans.
From tactical manoeuvres to aerial flyovers, visitors were treated to a wide-ranging showcase. One of the highlights included the imposing A400M transport aircraft, escorted in the skies by two F-16 fighter jets. On the ground, attention was drawn to the presentation of the new Jaguar, Griffon, and Serval vehicles – high-tech armoured machines set to equip the future Belgian-Luxembourg battalion.
The event was also attended by Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume, who is set to become Chief of the Army in October. During his visit, Defence Minister Yuriko Backes used the opportunity to share an update on Luxembourg’s NATO commitments:
“In air defence, for example, we are currently analysing which partners we will work with”, said Backes. “Of course, price is a factor, but also the human resources required. We're closely monitoring what programmes will come onto the market in the coming years. Once we have all the necessary data – and that will be quite soon – I will present a proposal to the government.”
The minister praised the strong public turnout, especially at a time when the army is ramping up recruitment efforts. Over the coming years, 650 new positions are to be created across a wide range of roles.
“We need soldiers, of course, but also project managers, engineers, IT specialists – especially in data protection, organisation, and cybersecurity”, Backes explained. “We’re also looking for medical staff. Together with the Belgians, we plan to set up a deployable military hospital.”
Visitors were invited to explore potential career paths through interactive stands and workshops, offering insights into the daily life of military personnel. From vehicle maintenance to battlefield communications, many came not only out of curiosity, but to consider future employment in the armed forces.
Several live demonstrations showcased new military hardware and operational capabilities. Among them was the Puma surveillance drone, which can be spotted as far away as Kirchberg, as well as the CLRV reconnaissance vehicles, now in the final testing phase.
A newly introduced anti-tank missile was also demonstrated – the same model that Luxembourg soldiers trained with for the first time just last week. Overhead, two F-16s supported a simulated ground operation, reinforcing the theme of a more dynamic and capable Luxembourg army.
Luxembourg has committed to investing 5% of its Gross National Income in defence by 2035 as part of its NATO obligations – a significant shift that was clearly reflected in Sunday’s display of modern equipment and strategic ambition.
