Belgium to Boost Air Defense with €3bn US Missile Deal

Belgium is planning to buy more than €3bn worth of US missiles to bolster its air force and air defenses. The Belgian government has formally asked the United States to approve a purchase worth €3.13bn, according to Belgian media outlets De Tijd and L'Echo.

The order includes AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles made by Raytheon, to be deployed on Belgian F-35 fighter jets, as well as NASAMS air defense systems.

AMRAAM missiles are radar-guided weapons designed to target airborne threats and have gained attention through their deployment in Ukraine. Belgium is also in talks with Raytheon about relocating some production to the country, with the FN Browning plant in Zutendaal cited as a potential manufacturing site.

The Netherlands, which has placed large orders for the missiles in the past, is also competing for the production contract and is seeking manufacturing cooperation for its own defense industry.

(mja)