According to Belgian newspaper De Morgen, the plan includes the procurement of 10 NASAMS (Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) batteries, each comprising four launchers. These systems will be interoperable with those used by the Netherlands, strengthening bilateral cooperation and NATO’s integrated air defence posture.
“The 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,” the report states. This procurement marks a key step in rebuilding air defence capacities largely dismantled in the 1990s.
Air defence has been identified as a top priority in Belgium’s rearmament agenda. The initiative is designed to demonstrate commitment to allies ahead of the NATO summit in The Hague later this month, where members are expected to agree on a new defence spending target of five percent of GDP.
Although Belgium has not yet met NATO’s previous benchmark of two percent, the investment roadmap aims to show tangible progress towards that objective. Defence officials see the plan as essential for modernising the Belgian military and enhancing its strategic relevance within the alliance.
The investment also includes significant upgrades to Belgium’s combat aviation capabilities. Around €5 billion is allocated for air power, enabling the purchase of 21 additional F-35 fighter jets to replace aging F-16s, bringing the total fleet to 55.
Furthermore, the Belgian Air Component will acquire two more MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones to improve reconnaissance and precision strike capacity. These additions are expected to enhance Belgium’s operational flexibility and intelligence-gathering capabilities.
While the full investment programme extends to 2035, only the 2025 defence budget has been formally approved. This initial step is seen as a foundation for broader, long-term military modernisation.
