Belgium to Spend Billions on U.S. Missiles
Belgium is preparing to purchase American missiles worth more than 3 billion euros for its F-35 fighter jets and air defence systems. The agreement, which includes AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, is said to be linked to Raytheon’s plan to establish a production facility in Belgium.
Belgium is preparing to purchase a large number of American missiles for its F-35 fighter jets and air defence systems. The cost of the procurement is expected to exceed 3 billion euros.
According to documents reviewed by De Tijd from the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Belgium has submitted a request for approval for a purchase valued at up to 3.69 billion dollars (3.13 billion euros).
The Belgian military plans to equip its fleet of 45 F-35s with AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles produced by the American defence giant Raytheon, known for its Patriot missiles. Defence Minister Theo Francken (N-VA) had already included the AMRAAM missiles in the ammunition plan presented last year, but the scale of the purchase had not previously been clear.
This major order is seen as part of efforts to secure the establishment of a Raytheon production facility in Belgium. The proposed site is planned to be FN Browning in Zutendaal. Advanced discussions are ongoing between Raytheon and the Walloon company FN, while the Netherlands is also competing for the contract.
