Kongsberg has secured a contract to deliver the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) to Belgium, marking a major step in strengthening the country’s ground-based air defense capabilities.
The procurement is being carried out by the Dutch Armed Forces on behalf of Belgium under an agreement valued at approximately NOK 10 billion ($1.04 billion). The deal will provide Belgium with advanced networked air defense capabilities designed to counter a range of aerial threats.
Developed jointly by Kongsberg and Raytheon, NASAMS integrates command-and-control units, radars, sensors, and missile launchers into a networked architecture. The system is designed to detect, track, and engage various airborne threats while enabling operators to coordinate multiple elements of an air defense network.
NASAMS supports several interceptor options, including the AIM-120 AMRAAM, AMRAAM Extended Range, and AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles. Its open and adaptable architecture also allows additional sensors, weapons, and technologies to be incorporated as emerging threats and operational requirements evolve.
Belgium announced in July that it planned to acquire 10 NASAMS systems through defense cooperation with the Netherlands. The latest contract finalizes the procurement, making Belgium the newest member of the NASAMS international user community.
Belgium Strengthens Ground-Based Air Defense
The procurement forms part of Belgium’s broader effort to rebuild and expand its ground-based air defense capabilities. The country is developing a layered surface-based air and missile defense architecture designed to address threats across different ranges.
NASAMS is expected to serve as a key component of this network, operating alongside shorter-range air defense systems and longer-range capabilities planned by the Belgian military. The layered approach is intended to provide broader protection against diverse aerial threats.
Belgium is also increasing defense expenditure as part of a wider military modernization program. The country’s Strategic Defense Plan 2025 outlines significant investments in air and missile defense, combat aircraft, naval platforms, land systems, and ammunition.
The growing focus on air defense reflects changing security requirements across Europe. European militaries are increasingly prioritizing capabilities to counter drones, cruise missiles, aircraft, and other airborne threats. The war in Ukraine has further demonstrated the importance of layered air defense networks that combine multiple sensors, command systems, and interceptors to respond to evolving threats.
With the NASAMS procurement, Belgium is strengthening its ability to establish a modern, networked, and scalable ground-based air defense architecture while deepening defense cooperation with the Netherlands.
