Belgium has confirmed the purchase of NASAMS air defense systems to strengthen protection of the Port of Antwerp, considered the second-busiest port in Europe.
The announcement was made by Prime Minister Bart De Wever following a series of incidents involving unidentified drones flying over strategic areas of the country throughout 2025.
According to the Ministry of Defense, the first phase of the system is expected to become operational in 2027, covering nearly two-thirds of the port area. The decision comes after episodes that led to the temporary closure of airports and a military air base, as well as reports of drones flying over nuclear power plants and major industrial facilities.
Alongside the acquisition of NASAMS, the Belgian government also invested €50 million in measures to counter unmanned aerial threats. Actions include the purchase of Blaze interceptor drones, developed in Lithuania by Origin Robotics, and the incorporation of Piorun man-portable air defense systems into special operations forces.
Plans to acquire around ten NASAMS batteries, each equipped with four launchers, were already announced in mid-2025 and involve a joint purchase with Luxembourg. The Norwegian-American system is widely used across Europe and is also part of Ukraine’s air defense network.
Source: Militarnyi | Photo: X @jurgen_nauditt | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
