Belgium Orders NASAMS to Protect Strategic Sites

Belgium has ordered medium-range NASAMS air defense systems from Norwegian company Kongsberg to strengthen the protection of its strategically important military and infrastructure sites.

The defense company’s press service reported this.

The contract, worth kr10 billion (approximately €918 million), was signed with the Netherlands Armed Forces’ procurement agency on behalf of Belgium.

“We are very pleased to welcome Belgium to the family of NASAMS nations,” Eirik Lie, President and CEO of KONGSBERG, said.

He noted that acquiring these SAM systems will provide Belgium with reliable nationwide air defense coverage and help strengthen overall European security.

In late February, Prime Minister Bart De Wever said Belgium would receive NASAMS air defense systems, which it plans to deploy to protect the Port of Antwerp, Europe’s second-busiest port.

The government moved to procure the new SAM systems after the country faced numerous incidents of unknown drones flying over strategic sites in 2025.

Drones were also spotted over the Port of Antwerp, nuclear power plants, BASF’s chemical plant, and the Europa container terminal. Following these incidents, in early November, Belgian armed forces personnel were ordered to shoot down any unidentified drones over military bases.

Belgium’s Ministry of Defense reported that the first part of the NASAMS will become operational in 2027. This will allow nearly two-thirds of the port area to be protected.

NASAMS

The NASAMS air defense system consists of a command post, an AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel radar for detection and guidance, launchers carrying six missiles each, and specialized vehicles for reloading and maintenance.

The system’s primary interceptors are AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, which, depending on the variant, can engage targets at ranges of up to 40 km. The system can also use short-range AIM-9 Sidewinder guided missiles and specialized AMRAAM-ER missiles with an extended range.