The press in Belgium has released news of an extensive plan to upgrade the Belgian Armed Forces in Brussels, which if fully implemented, would result in a substantial strengthening.
The investment plan provides for the multiple-year allocation of approximately 36 billion euros. The program would include the purchase of additional F-35A aircraft, more MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones, NASAMS air defense batteries, and an additional ASW frigate.
Additional F-35A
In particular, the purchase of 21 additional F-35As will be financed, bringing the total number of Belgian Lightning II units to 55. These additional F-35A units will be built in Italy at the FACO in Cameri because Belgium is eager to receive the new aircraft – a timeline that cannot be assured by Lockheed Martin’s production line, which is booked for the coming years.
More MQ-9B SkyGuardian
The Belgian Air Force will receive another pair of MQ-9B SkyGuardian RPAS produced by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI), bringing the total number of units in service to 6. Another novelty associated with the MQ-9B SkyGuardian is that the unmanned aircraft will be armed. This means that the government of Brussels has decided to overcome the final obstacles to the armed deployment of drones. Additionally, the MQ-9B SkyGuardian is produced with a substantial arsenal already prepared for deployment.
NASAMS for Air Defence
The Belgian Army will receive a substantial injection of air defense systems. Specifically, ten NASAMS system batteries from Kongsberg will be purchased, each with four launchers for six missiles. With the NASAMS, the Belgian Army will achieve interoperability with similar systems in the Armed Forces of the Netherlands.
A Third ASW Frigate
Finally, the Brussels Navy will receive a third ASW frigate, a product of cooperation with the Dutch Royal Navy. The original programs envisaged the construction of a pair of frigates for each navy. However, international crisis scenarios led to a review of the programs, and the Dutch Royal Navy ordered Damen to construct a third ASW frigate with the option for a fourth unit. Belgium thus aligns itself with the Netherlands by increasing the number of ASW frigates available for defending the North Sea, English Channel, and addressing NATO needs.
