Belgium is preparing to launch a €36 billion defense investment fund aimed at transforming its armed forces and meeting NATO capability targets, with a renewed focus on air defense at the core of the effort.
According to Belgian newspaper De Morgen, the plan outlines major acquisitions to rebuild air defense capacities that were largely dismantled in the 1990s.
A central element is the procurement of 10 NASAMS (Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) batteries, each consisting of four launchers. The systems are expected to be interoperable with those used by the Netherlands, reinforcing bilateral cooperation and contributing to NATO’s integrated air defense posture.
The NASAMS systems are expected to be acquired in partnership with the Netherlands, mirroring that country’s inventory and ensuring full interoperability within NATO’s integrated air and missile defense network.
Air defense is considered a top priority in the upcoming rearmament, as Belgium seeks to assure its allies ahead of the NATO summit in The Hague later this month. There, member states are expected to adopt a new defense spending target of five percent of GDP.
Belgium has yet to reach the previous benchmark of two percent, but the investment roadmap is intended to show concrete progress toward that goal.
The investment plan also includes significant upgrades to Belgium’s combat aviation fleet. Approximately €5 billion is earmarked for combat air power, supporting the purchase of 21 additional F-35 fighter jets. These aircraft will replace the aging F-16s and bring Belgium’s total F-35 fleet to 55.
Additionally, the Belgian Air Component will be bolstered by the acquisition of two more MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones, enhancing both reconnaissance and precision strike capabilities.
While the full investment plan stretches to 2035, only the 2025 defense budget has been formally approved.
RELATED CONTENT: Major General calls for NATO-wide overhaul of drone defense
Post Image Credit: KONGSBERG
