Belgium and Netherlands plan joint purchase of Kongsberg air defence systems

Belgium has announced plans to acquire the NASAMS air defence system as part of a joint procurement with the Netherlands, marking the country's return to a national ground-based air defence capability after two decades. 

The announcement was made during the NATO summit in Ankara, where the two countries signed a cooperation agreement covering the planned purchase of 10 NASAMS systems.

The planned acquisition is intended to strengthen Belgium's ability to protect its population and critical infrastructure against aerial threats. 

NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) is a medium-range air defence system developed by Norway's Kongsberg in partnership with US defence company RTX (formerly Raytheon).

According to the announcement, the procurement remains subject to ongoing contract negotiations. 

Kongsberg, the Norwegian technology group that manufactures the system, said in a release that it does not intend to comment further until a binding contract has been signed, which is expected later in 2026.

The cooperation agreement reflects continued efforts among European Nato members to coordinate defence acquisitions and strengthen integrated air and missile defence capabilities.

No value for the planned acquisition has been disclosed, and the parties have not announced a timeline beyond stating that a final contract is expected later this year.