Kongsberg has finalized a contract to provide Belgium with the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), strengthening the country’s ground-based air defense network. The procurement, valued at 10 billion Norwegian krone, or about $1.04 billion, was arranged by the Dutch Armed Forces on Belgium’s behalf. NASAMS, developed jointly by Kongsberg and Raytheon, is a networked air-defense architecture that combines command-and-control elements, radars, sensors, and missile launchers to identify and defeat aerial threats. The system supports multiple interceptors, including AIM-120 AMRAAM, AMRAAM Extended Range, and AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles. Its open architecture enables operators to incorporate additional sensors, weapons, and technologies as operational requirements and emerging threats evolve. Belgium announced in July that it planned to acquire 10 NASAMS systems through cooperation with the Netherlands. The latest agreement completes that procurement and makes Belgium the newest member of the NASAMS user community. The acquisition is part of Belgium’s broader effort to rebuild its ground-based air-defense capability. The country plans to establish a layered surface-based air and missile defense structure covering multiple threat ranges. NASAMS will provide the medium-range component alongside shorter-range and longer-range systems planned by the Belgian military. Belgium is also increasing defense expenditure under its modernization programme. Its Strategic Defense Plan 2025 includes major investments in air and missile defense, combat aircraft, naval platforms, land systems, and ammunition. Growing concerns over drones, cruise missiles, aircraft, and other aerial threats, particularly following the war in Ukraine, have increased the importance of integrated and layered air-defense networks across Europe.
