Belgium Orders Over €200 Million Worth of Missiles for Mistral MANPADS

Belgium has ordered missiles for its Mistral man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) worth €226.7 million.

The contract was published on the official EU public procurement and tenders portal.

The new missiles are intended to bolster the country’s air defense capabilities amid increasing drone threats.

The agreement was signed with the French Ministry of Armed Forces’ Directorate General of Armaments, and MBDA will deliver the missiles over six years.

In June 2023, Belgium joined a joint program with France, Estonia, Cyprus, and Hungary to collectively procure Mistral missiles and MANPADS to restore short-range air defense capabilities.

Mistral

Mistral is a French man-portable air defense system that has been in service since 1990 and has undergone continuous upgrades. It is designed to engage aircraft, helicopters, drones, and cruise missiles at low altitudes.

The MANPADS can strike targets at ranges of up to 8 kilometers and at altitudes of up to 6 kilometers. An infrared homing seeker provides guidance.

The system includes: a surface-to-air missile in a sealed transport and launch container, a tripod-mounted launcher with sighting devices, an identification friend-or-foe (IFF) system, and a power supply unit.

Mistral air defense systems are in service with France and dozens of other countries, including Ukraine.

In addition, last December, Belgium’s special operations forces received their first Polish-made Piorun man-portable air defense systems.