Belgium has confirmed a defence acquisition valued at more than €3bn ($3.4bn) at the Nato Summit held in Ankara, Türkiye.
In a post on X, Belgian Minister of Defence, Theo Francken, announced that the country will procure 10 NASAMS air defence systems developed by Kongsberg and 20 SkyRanger 30 systems produced by Rheinmetall.
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
In addition, the package features 14 GM200 radars from Thales, as well as Iveco trucks.
With this announcement, Belgium is set to work alongside the Netherlands to develop a shared air defence architecture for the Benelux region, which consists of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.
Francken said: “A major order (worth more than €3bn) that will strengthen our collective security, while creating high-value industrial opportunities for Belgian and Dutch companies.”
The NASAMS system can accommodate a variety of missile types, including AMRAAM, AMRAAM-Extended Range, and AIM-9X Sidewinder, and brings both extended and short-range defensive options.
Key technology components in the NASAMS platform include Raytheon’s radar, advanced missile variants, Kongsberg’s Fire Distribution Center, and multi-missile launchers.
Kongsberg confirmed that contract negotiations are ongoing and stated it would not provide further details until a definitive contract is signed, which is anticipated later in 2026.
According to Brussels Times, to ensure an initial level of operational capability, Belgium will lease a minimum NASAMS capacity from Kongsberg beginning in 2027.
The SkyRanger 30, also known as the Oerlikon Skyranger 30, is designed as a lightweight, multirole air defence system adaptable to different wheeled or tracked vehicle platforms. Its 30mmx173 calibre KCE Revolver Cannon is capable of firing 1,200 rounds per minute and has an effective range of up to 3km.
No further details regarding the Iveco trucks have been disclosed, though Brussels Times reported that 54 command vehicles are included.
Theo Francken said: “After twenty years without one, Belgium will rebuild its own powerful air defence capability with this joint purchase. This step is essential for the protection of our population and critical infrastructure.”
