Editing Belgian Armed Forces (section)

===Establishment===

When Belgium broke away from the Netherlands in 1830 it was initially expected that a neutral buffer state, with its borders guaranteed by France, Britain and Prussia, could avoid the need for an expensive permanent military force, relying instead on the part-time militia of the existing ''[[Garde Civique]]'' (Civil Guard). The need for a regular army was however soon acknowledged. The basis for recruitment was one of selective conscription under which exemptions could be purchased by obtaining substitutes.<ref>John Keegan, page 55 "World Armies", {{ISBN|0 333 17236 1}}</ref> In practice this meant that only about a quarter of each year's eligible intake actually served, with the burden falling on the poorer classes.