Armament: Belgium plans to acquire American missiles for its F-35 and its anti-aircraft defense

According to information from Belgian daily newspapers De Time and L’Echo, the government requested approval from the United States for the purchase of weapons worth a total of 3.69 billion dollars (around 3.13 billion euros).

According to documents from the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the order includes AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles produced by US defense company Raytheon.

These missiles are planned to be used on the 45 F-35 fighter jets in Belgium’s inventory, and will also be integrated into the NASAMS air defense systems.

Radar-guided AMRAAM missiles were developed to shoot down aircraft and other aerial targets. The system particularly attracted international public attention following its use in Ukraine.

The sources specify that, as part of this agreement, Belgium aims to attract part of Raytheon’s production to its territory.

In this context, discussions are continuing to evaluate the FN Browning factory located in Zutendaal, in the Limburg region, for the production of missiles intended to be supplied to Europe.

On the other hand, Belgium is in competition with the Netherlands for this production agreement, the latter having already placed large orders for AMRAAM missiles.

*Translated from Turkish by Mariem recognizes