The Belgian Armed Forces does not have enough air defense weapons so it relies heavily on its F-16 fleet for airspace protection, a retired colonel has claimed.
Roger Hausen, now a national security expert in Brussels, told local media that the lack of ground-based air defense systems has left the country vulnerable to modern threats.
The issue could have serious implications for NATO, as Belgium hosts key infrastructure for the military alliance.
In the event of a large-scale conflict with Russia, the European nation may serve as a key logistics hub for transferring supplies from the US through the Antwerp seaport in northern Belgium.
This makes the second-largest seaport in Europe susceptible to Russian air strikes.
An ‘Urgent’ Need
The lack of air defense systems appears to be a long-standing problem in Belgium, with politicians and the public reportedly divided on the importance of addressing it.
Bart De Wever, the country’s potential next prime minister, said acquiring enough air defense weapons is an “urgent need” for Brussels.
Should Belgium decide to invest more in air defense, many experts suggest adopting a multi-layered system similar to Israel’s renowned “Iron Dome.”
They argued that while such systems are costly, they are more effective against threats like small drones compared to other air defense systems, such as the Patriot.
Potential Conflict With Russia
Earlier this year, a leaked German military document outlined a worst-case scenario of the ongoing Ukraine war, in which Moscow is pictured to win then wage another large-scale war with a NATO member.
A subsequent intelligence report claimed that Russia may launch an invasion as early as 2026, in time for the reorganization of its army.
The claim was supported by recent reports indicating that the Russian Navy has been training to launch nuclear-capable weapons deep into Europe.
While no specific country was mentioned, Belgium could be a likely target, given its substantial military aid to Ukraine.
