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ConflictBelgium and Netherlands sign €3.1 billion air defense deal
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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.
Source report
Ankara, July 8, 2026 — Belgium and the Netherlands signed a cooperation agreement at the NATO summit in Ankara to jointly develop a multi-layered air defense system. Under the agreement, Belgium has committed €3.1 billion to acquire new short- and medium-range air defense systems, designed to be interoperable with those of the Netherlands.
The agreement was signed by Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken, and Dutch Defense Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz. The project will be financed from the €8.34 billion allocated to Belgium under the EU funding instrument "Security Measures for Europe" (SAFE).
Package Details
According to a statement on Francken's page on the Belgian government website, the €3.1 billion package includes:
- 10 NASAMS systems (presumably fire units)
- 14 GM200 MM/C radars
- 20 Skyranger 30 "systems" (presumably fire units)
- 54 command vehicles
- Ammunition
Delivery and Interim Measures
Although no delivery date was specified, the statement indicated that under the agreement, Belgium will temporarily lease "a minimum capacity of NASAMS" starting in 2027. This suggests at least one NASAMS fire unit.
System Specifications
For reference:
- A NASAMS fire unit typically consists of three launchers, one radar, and one command post.
- A NASAMS battery typically includes three fire units.
- NASAMS is intended for short-range (SHORAD) and medium-range air defense (MRAD).
- The Skyranger 30 covers the very short-range air defense (VSHORAD) role.
Radar Capabilities
The Thales MM/C radars are presumably primarily for airspace surveillance, as they operate in the S-band with a range of approximately 400 km — significantly exceeding the ranges of NASAMS or Skyranger 30. It is therefore assumed that the NASAMS batteries will use their own shorter-range radars for fire control, such as the Raytheon AN/MPQ-64F1 Sentinel, which is typically offered with the system.
Source
CPM Defence Network – News: Verteidigung und WehrtechnikWestern
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Belgium and Netherlands Sign €3.1 Billion Joint Air Defense Deal at NATO Summit