Belgium has signed a defense cooperation agreement with the Netherlands to acquire 10 NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems) from Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, reinforcing its efforts to modernize national air defense capabilities.
The agreement was finalized during the NATO Summit in Ankara and enables Belgium to utilize the Netherlands’ existing procurement arrangement for the acquisition. Kongsberg confirmed that negotiations for the final contract remain in progress.
Expanding Air Defense Capabilities
The NASAMS systems are intended to protect key infrastructure and populated areas from evolving airborne threats, including drones and cruise missiles. According to Prime Minister Bart De Wever, one of the batteries will be deployed to safeguard the Port of Antwerp, with operational deployment anticipated in 2027.
Although the Belgian government has not officially announced the contract value, De Morgen estimates the purchase at approximately 1.2 billion euros ($1.37 billion).
The acquisition is part of a wider 4-billion-euro ($4.6 billion) investment program aimed at strengthening Belgium’s layered air defense architecture, including the future procurement of a long-range missile defense system.
NASAMS Overview
NASAMS is a highly capable short- to medium-range ground-based air defense system jointly developed by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and Raytheon. It supports AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9X Sidewinder interceptor missiles designed to defeat a broad range of aerial threats.
Each launcher accommodates six interceptor missiles and can engage fighter aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, and cruise missiles at ranges reaching 60 kilometers (37 miles).
The system combines the AN/MPQ-64F1 Sentinel active 3D radar with electro-optical and infrared sensors to detect and track airborne targets at distances of approximately 120 kilometers (75 miles) while engaging threats flying at altitudes of up to 21,000 meters (69,000 feet).
Following Kuwait’s procurement, NASAMS is now in service or on order with 18 nations, including Ukraine, Australia, Chile, Spain, and the United States, underscoring its growing role in modern integrated air defense networks.
