Belgium has signed a contract worth 918 million euros, around a billion dollars, for the Norwegian made NASAMS air defence system, according to Belgian broadcaster RTBF. The deal was signed by the Dutch Armed Forces Procurement Authority, which is acquiring the system on Belgium's behalf, with the Belgian Air Force set to operate it as the end user.
NASAMS is built to counter short and medium range aerial threats, including aircraft, helicopters and cruise missiles. Kongsberg, the Norwegian manufacturer behind the system, welcomed the order. Company president and chief executive Eirik Lie said the purchase would give Belgium robust national air defence coverage while also contributing to wider European security.
A leased system to bridge the gap
Rather than wait for the full order to arrive, Belgium plans to lease a NASAMS system on a temporary basis starting in 2027, a move meant to get some air defence capability in place sooner rather than leaving the country without cover while the permanent purchase is built and delivered.
The NASAMS order sits inside a larger joint procurement effort between Belgium and the Netherlands, which is also acquiring SkyRanger 30 systems and advanced radar equipment to round out the two countries' air defences. Including munitions, the combined programme is expected to cost around 3.1 billion euros.