Belgium has ordered Norwegian NASAMS surface-to-air missile systems to strengthen the protection of strategically important military and infrastructure facilities.
The contract, worth NOK 10 billion, or approximately €918 million, was signed by Norwegian company Kongsberg with the Dutch Armed Forces procurement authority. The Netherlands is procuring the systems on behalf of Belgium, while the Belgian Air Force will be the end user.
“We are very pleased to welcome Belgium to the family of NASAMS nations,” said Kongsberg President and CEO Eirik Lie.
According to him, the acquisition of NASAMS will provide Belgium with national air defence coverage and contribute to increased European security.
Belgium plans to use the systems, among other things, to protect the Port of Antwerp. Prime Minister Bart De Wever said this at the end of February.
The decision to strengthen air defence was made following numerous incidents involving unidentified drones flying over strategic sites in Belgium in 2025. Drones were detected over the Port of Antwerp, nuclear power plants, the BASF chemical plant and the Europa container terminal, Militarnyi reported.
The first part of the NASAMS system is expected to become operational in Belgium in 2027. According to the country’s Ministry of Defence, this will allow nearly two-thirds of the Port of Antwerp to be protected.
NASAMS is a modular air defence system. It includes a command post, an AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel radar, launchers, and reloading and maintenance vehicles.
The primary weapon is the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile family. The system can also use AIM-9 Sidewinder and the extended-range AMRAAM-ER.
