Belgium and Netherlands Sign €3.1 Billion Joint Air Defense Deal at NATO Summit
On July 8, 2026, at the NATO summit in Ankara, Belgium and the Netherlands signed a €3.1 billion agreement to jointly acquire a multi-layered air defense system. The package includes 10 NASAMS systems, 20 Skyranger 30 systems, 14 GM200 radars, and 54 command vehicles. Belgium will lease initial NASAMS capacity from 2027, rebuilding its air defense capability after a 20-year gap. Funding comes from the EU’s SAFE instrument.
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Belgium and Netherlands Sign €3.1 Billion Air Defense Deal for NASAMS and Skyranger 30
On July 8, 2026, at the NATO summit in Ankara, Belgium and the Netherlands signed a cooperation agreement to jointly develop a multi-layered ground-based air defense (GBAD) capability. Belgium committed €3.1 billion to procure short- and medium-range air defense systems interoperable with Dutch systems. The package includes 10 NASAMS fire units, 14 GM200 MM/C radars, 20 Skyranger 30 systems, 54 command vehicles, and ammunition. Funding comes from the EU's €8.34 billion SAFE instrument. Belgium will lease a minimum NASAMS capacity starting in 2027, with no firm delivery date for the full systems. NASAMS covers short- to medium-range air defense, while Skyranger 30 handles very short-range defense. The Thales radars are primarily for surveillance, with fire control likely using shorter-range radars like the AN/MPQ-64F1 Sentinel.
CPM Defence Network – News: Verteidigung und WehrtechnikBelgium and Netherlands Sign €3.1 Billion Air Defense Deal for NASAMS and Skyranger 30
On July 8, 2026, at the NATO summit in Ankara, Belgium and the Netherlands signed a cooperation agreement to jointly develop a multi-layered ground-based air defense (GBAD) capability. Belgium committed €3.1 billion to acquire short- and medium-range systems interoperable with Dutch forces. The package includes 10 NASAMS fire units, 14 GM200 MM/C radars, 20 Skyranger 30 systems, 54 command vehicles, and ammunition. Funding comes from the EU's SAFE instrument, part of €8.34 billion allocated to Belgium. Under the agreement, Belgium will temporarily lease at least one NASAMS fire unit starting in 2027. NASAMS covers short- to medium-range air defense, while Skyranger 30 handles very short-range defense. The Thales radars are primarily for surveillance, with NASAMS likely using its own shorter-range fire control radars.
CPM Defence Network – News: Verteidigung und WehrtechnikBelgium and Netherlands Sign 3.1 Billion Euro Air Defense Deal for NASAMS and Skyranger 30
On July 8, 2026, Belgium and the Netherlands signed a cooperation agreement at the NATO summit in Ankara to jointly develop a multi-layered ground-based air defense (GBAD) capability. Belgium committed 3.1 billion euros to acquire short- and medium-range air defense systems interoperable with Dutch forces. The package includes 10 NASAMS fire units, 14 Thales GM200 MM/C radars, 20 Skyranger 30 systems, 54 command vehicles, and ammunition. Funding comes from the EU's SAFE instrument, part of 8.34 billion euros allocated to Belgium. Belgium will temporarily lease at least one NASAMS fire unit starting in 2027. NASAMS covers SHORAD and MRAD roles, while Skyranger 30 handles VSHORAD. The Thales radars are primarily for surveillance, with NASAMS likely using its own shorter-range fire control radars.
CPM Defence Network – News: Verteidigung und WehrtechnikBelgium Announces €3 Billion Defense Acquisition at NATO Summit in Ankara
Belgium has confirmed a major defense acquisition valued at over €3 billion ($3.4 billion) at the NATO Summit held in Ankara, Turkey. Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken announced the procurement of 10 NASAMS air defense systems from Kongsberg and 20 SkyRanger 30 systems from Rheinmetall. The package also includes 14 GM200 radars from Thales and Iveco trucks, with 54 command vehicles reported. Belgium will work with the Netherlands to develop a shared air defense architecture for the Benelux region. To ensure initial operational capability, Belgium will lease a minimum NASAMS capacity from Kongsberg starting in 2027. The NASAMS system can accommodate various missile types including AMRAAM and AIM-9X Sidewinder, while the SkyRanger 30 features a 30mm cannon capable of firing 1,200 rounds per minute. Francken stated this rebuilds Belgium's air defense capability after 20 years without one.
Army TechnologyBelgium Announces €3 Billion Defense Acquisition at NATO Summit in Ankara
At the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey, Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken announced a defense acquisition valued at over €3 billion ($3.4 billion). The package includes 10 NASAMS air defense systems from Kongsberg, 20 SkyRanger 30 systems from Rheinmetall, 14 GM200 radars from Thales, and Iveco trucks (including 54 command vehicles). Belgium will work with the Netherlands to develop a shared air defense architecture for the Benelux region. To ensure initial operational capability, Belgium will lease a minimum NASAMS capacity from Kongsberg starting in 2027, with a definitive contract expected later in 2026. Francken stated the purchase will rebuild Belgium's air defense capability after a 20-year gap, strengthening collective security and creating industrial opportunities for Belgian and Dutch companies.
Army TechnologyBelgium to Acquire 10 NASAMS Air Defense Systems in Joint Deal with Netherlands
Belgium announced plans to acquire 10 Norwegian-built NASAMS air defense systems as part of a broader €3.1 billion ($3.5 billion) air defense package signed with the Netherlands at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. The deal, announced by manufacturer Kongsberg, includes 20 Skyranger 30 short-range systems, 14 Ground Master 200 radars, and 54 command vehicles. Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken stated the purchase rebuilds a capability the country has lacked for 20 years, essential for protecting population and critical infrastructure. The joint procurement piggybacks on the Netherlands' existing NASAMS framework to avoid duplicating training and maintenance. Belgium also plans to acquire three additional long-range air defense batteries from 2029, choosing between the Franco-Italian SAMP/T NG and American Patriot systems, a decision with strategic implications for defense integration with France/Italy or the Netherlands.
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