Belgium to buy 280m euros of US missiles
The United States has approved the sale of AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles to Belgium, a deal valued at 280 million euros, the Belgian Defence ministry has confirmed. The Pentagon had earlier indicated a potential sale of up to 567.8 million dollars (480 million euros), but officials said the actual contract value would be lower.
The sale includes several hundred air-to-air missiles and associated guidance units for Belgium’s F-35 fighter jet fleet, which is being introduced to replace the country’s ageing F-16s.
“This sale will improve Belgium’s capacity to address current and future threats, and bolster NATO’s defence mission,” the Pentagon said.
Belgian officials said that the higher figure of 480 million euros reflected the maximum value authorised by Washington, which routinely inflates requests to provide Congress with flexibility. Once approved, the final contractual value is determined through negotiations. In this case, the difference amounts to around 200 million euros.
The purchase is part of Belgium’s Ammunition Readiness Plan 2025, a multi-year programme designed to address long-standing deficiencies in the country's stockpiles. Endorsed by the cabinet in July, the plan aims to reduce structural shortages across the armed forces.
Delivery dates for the Sidewinders have not yet been confirmed, as ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have extended waiting times.
According to the Pentagon, the sale also serves broader strategic interests: “The proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO ally that is a driver of political stability and economic progress in Europe.”
© BELGA PHOTO JONAS ROOSENS
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