Belgium to buy Latvian-made drone interceptors
The Belgian ministry of Defence plans to acquire drone interceptors from the Latvian company Origin Robotics as part of a 50 million euro anti-drone package, it announced on Monday.
The package, which has recently been approved, is intended to enable the country to better detect, jam, intercept and potentially destroy dangerous flying objects in the short term.
The decision follows a spate of drone sightings above airports, military bases and other critical infrastructure sites in Belgium in recent weeks. According to the country's security services, Russia is most likely behind the incidents.
Insufficient counter-drone capacity
Belgium has struggled to respond to repeated air traffic interruptions due to insufficient counter-drone capacity. Help had to be called in from Germany and the United Kingdom.
The agreed package will be used to purchase counter-drone equipment, including jammers, detection systems, and anti-drone guns. On Monday, the ministry of Defence announced that the purchase would include Latvian interceptors called "Blaze".
AI-powered
The AI-powered devices, which were launched by Origin Robotics in May, can be used to "neutralise enemy drones" and are "known for their manoeuvrability, speed and accuracy", according to the ministry.
Exactly how many interceptors Belgium will purchase and the cost are not yet clear.
In addition to the short-term package approved earlier this month, Defence minister Theo Francken plans to invest 500 million euros in a long-term "comprehensive anti-drone package".
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen (right) is shown the Blaze interceptor during a visit to Origin Robotics in August 2025 © PHOTO GINTS IVUSKANS / AFP
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