Brussels moves to boost air defences with €3.1 billion plan NASAMS, SKYRANGER on the list

Belgium is planning to acquire 10 NASAMS surface-to-air missile system launchers from Kongsberg and 20 Skyranger short-range air defence systems from Rheinmetall in a deal valued at 3.1 billion euros, a Belgian official told Reuters on Thursday, July 2.

The proposal is subject to approval by Belgium’s council of ministers later this week. If endorsed, the purchases could be formally announced at the NATO summit scheduled to take place in Ankara next week, the official said.

Belgium intends to use existing Dutch framework contracts for both acquisitions in an effort to accelerate the procurement process, the official added.

No detailed breakdown of the overall cost has been disclosed.

By Tamilla Hasanova