Belgium has received the green light from the United States to acquire the AGM-184 Joint Strike Missile (JSM), an advanced weapon intended for F-35A fighter jets.
The package approved by the U.S. Department of State could reach a value of $236 million and includes not only the missiles, but also a broad support and training structure.
According to the notification sent to the U.S. Congress, the deal includes spare parts, test equipment, specialised software, technical publications, and logistics and engineering support services. The measure is part of the process of strengthening the operational capabilities of the Belgian Air Force.
Developed by the Norwegian company Kongsberg, the Joint Strike Missile is a long-range precision weapon capable of striking both vessels and land targets. One of its key advantages is its compatibility with the F-35A’s internal weapons bay, allowing the aircraft to maintain its stealth characteristics during missions.
In addition, the missile combines low radar detectability, terrain-following flight and a range of hundreds of kilometres. These features expand the strike capability of fighter jets, enabling targets to be engaged at long distances while reducing the aircraft’s exposure to enemy defence systems.
Source: Bureau of Political-Military Affairs | Photo: Belgian Ministry of Defence, RTX Corporation. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
