Belgium is preparing a multibillion-dollar procurement of advanced air defense systems
Belgium intends to significantly strengthen its air defense capabilities by investing more than 3 billion euros in the procurement of modern air defense systems. According to media reports, the country plans to purchase the latest anti-aircraft systems and short-range air defense systems to strengthen its airspace defense.
Specifically, this involves the purchase of ten NASAMS anti-aircraft missile launchers from Kongsberg, as well as 20 Skyranger short-range air defense systems manufactured by Rheinmetall. The total cost of the planned procurement is estimated at 3.1 billion euros.
These plans, which are to be approved by the Belgian Council of Ministers this week, may be announced at the NATO summit in Ankara on July 7–8, the official noted.
Belgium intends to carry out both procurements under Dutch framework contracts to expedite the process, he added.
The official did not provide a detailed breakdown of the costs.
A Belgian official told Reuters this on Thursday.
Belgium has issued a European arrest warrant for a former European Commissioner in the Qatargate case.
As a reminder, Belgian investigators discovered 280,000 euros in cash during a search at the home of the son of a Belgian Member of the European Parliament, who is believed to be involved in the “Qatargate” scandal.
Pierre Antonio Panzeri, the main suspect in the so-called “Qatargate” corruption investigation, was recently transferred from prison to house arrest with an electronic ankle monitor pending trial.
