ocr: Belgium spends less on defense than the NATO average and over the next decade the lefense budget will fall turther. In 1994,as part ofBelgium's program to - reduce goverment debt, all three military services were targetedfor cuts. The government abolished consc cription and cut troop levels from 75,000 to 40,000. The lefense budget ofaround $4.5 billion was trozen for five years. Spending on paratroopers and planes used for transportation has increased, however. The aim is to allow Belgian forces to fultill their role in NATU's new rapidreaction forces. It will also make Belgian forces more us ...
