Belgium and Luxembourg Plan Joint NASAMS Purchase With Netherlands

Belgium and Luxembourg are in talks to jointly acquire NASAMS short-range air defense systems via the Netherlands, with a potential order of around ten batteries from Norwegian defense firm Kongsberg Gruppen, according to L’Echo, citing sources at the Paris Air Show.

The deal, estimated at €2.5 billion, could become the Belgian army’s largest defense procurement since it purchased F-35 fighter jets in 2018.

Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken’s revised defense plan includes expanding the F-35 fleet and urgently addressing air defense gaps.

Currently, Belgium has no ground-based air defense capability, relying solely on its fleet of F-16s for airspace protection.

The proposed acquisition would take place through a government-to-government agreement, with the Netherlands managing the contract and negotiations with Kongsberg Gruppen. The Netherlands already operates NASAMS and other air defense assets, offering logistical and operational advantages to the trilateral project.

Each NASAMS battery is expected to include four launchers. Luxembourg is also considering joining the initiative, although a final decision has not been made, according to a source cited by L’Echo.

The joint procurement aims to strengthen regional defense cooperation, building on the countries’ existing collaboration in patrolling Benelux airspace. A shared acquisition strategy could also reduce costs.

However, some defense analysts caution that this initial deal could set a precedent for choosing U.S.-made Patriot systems in future long-range air defense procurements. The Belgian government is currently exploring a separate acquisition of the European SAMP/T NG system for that role.

NASAMS Efficiency

As of February 2025, NASAMS systems deployed by the Ukrainian Air Force had destroyed approximately 900 aerial targets.

According to Colonel Per Steinar Trøite of the Norwegian Air Force, NASAMS demonstrated an interception success rate of 94%, with cruise missiles accounting for nearly 60% of the downed targets.

The specific missiles used in these interceptions were not disclosed. Ukraine operates NASAMS with a mix of AIM-120 AMRAAM variants, extended-range AMRAAM-ER, and possibly AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles.