Belgium is moving ahead with plans to acquire a Norwegian-made air defence system, while Luxembourg confirms it is still weighing options for a potential joint purchase.

Belgian media have reported that Belgium plans to invest in an air defence system together with Luxembourg.
The Luxembourg Ministry of Defence says no decision has been made so far, but confirms that cooperation with Belgium is among the options under consideration. According to RTL sources, discussions with Germany and France have also been taking place.

Defence Minister Yuriko Backes was in Le Bourget on Monday, where she also met the French Defence Minister. Luxembourg has committed to investing in air defence as part of its NATO obligations. France is seen as a potential cooperation partner, particularly given existing cooperation on the Belgian-Luxembourg battalion.

Belgian media speaks of cooperation and major investment

Belgium and Luxembourg wanted to jointly purchase air defence systems from Norway, reported Belgian newspaper L’Echo on Friday morning*. The article mentions 10 batteries of the Norwegian NASAMS type, which are to be ordered together with Belgium via the Netherlands. The cost would be around 2.5 billion euros. This system can shoot down aircraft, drones, helicopters, and cruise missiles and is already being used in Ukraine.

In response to an RTL inquiry, the Luxembourg Ministry of Defence issued the following statement:

"We have not yet made a decision on the air defence and missile defence dossier. Discussions are still ongoing with potential partner countries and various industry players. Cooperation in this area within the Benelux framework is one of the avenues we are considering."

*On Friday, L’Echo updated its article and no longer mentions Luxembourg. However, the Belgian investment is still expected to go ahead.