{
    "title": "Belgium plans \u20ac3 billion purchase of US missiles for F-35 jets and air defence",
    "modified_at": "2026-05-09 09:04:18",
    "published_at": "2026-05-09 09:04:00",
    "url": "https://www.belganewsagency.eu/belgium-plans-3-billion-purchase-of-us-missiles-for-f-35-jets-and-air-defence",
    "short_url": "http://prez.ly/3zGd",
    "culture": "en_BE",
    "language": "EN",
    "slug": "belgium-plans-3-billion-purchase-of-us-missiles-for-f-35-jets-and-air-defence",
    "body": "<p><strong>Belgium plans to buy billions of euros&rsquo; worth of American missiles to strengthen its air force and air defence systems, according to reports by Belgian newspapers </strong><em><strong>De Tijd</strong></em><strong> and </strong><em><strong>L&rsquo;Echo</strong></em><strong>.</strong></p><p>The Belgian government has asked the United States for approval to purchase up to 3.69 billion dollars (&euro;3.13 billion) in weapons, documents from the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency show.</p><p>The order includes AIM-120 Amraam missiles made by American defence company Raytheon. The missiles will equip Belgium&rsquo;s 45 F-35 fighter jets and could also be used in the country&rsquo;s Nasams air defence systems.</p><p>The Amraam is a radar-guided missile designed to hit aircraft and other airborne targets. The system has gained attention for its use in Ukraine.</p><p>Belgium also hopes the deal could help bring part of Raytheon&rsquo;s production to Belgium. Talks are under way about using the FN Browning site in Zutendaal as a manufacturing location for missiles supplied across Europe.</p><p>However, Belgium faces competition from the Netherlands, which is also seeking the contract and has already placed major Amraam orders in recent years.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><sup>The arrival of a Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jets at the Florennes military airbase &copy; BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM</sup></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>",
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    },
    "author": {
        "first_name": "Flanders",
        "last_name": "News Service"
    },
    "format_version": 5
}