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Yassine Rafik, alongside Defense Minister Theo Francken, announced the Bedex arms fair in early February. A key visit to Francken's office helped secure NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's support, facilitated by Ari Epstein.

Rafik emphasized that the fair is organized without public subsidies, with main sponsors including FN, RTX, and Lockheed Martin. Both the Belgian military and the European Commission will have 550-square-meter stands offered for free. Despite this, public organizations FIT and Awex are providing funding, sourced from private companies wishing to exhibit.