Belgium inaugurates MQ-9B SkyGuardian

Belgium has received into service its first MQ-9B SkyGuardian unmanned aircraft. The country's air force intends to operate six such air vehicles across three systems by the time deliveries are completed. (Benoît Denet)

Belgium officially inaugurated into service the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc (GA-ASI) MQ-9B SkyGuardian/SeaGuardian unmanned aircraft system (UAS) during a ceremony attended by the country's Minister of Defense, Théo Francken.

The event took place at Florennes Air Base on 23 September, and saw the reactivation of the Belgian Air Force's (Force Aérienne Belge: FAé) 2nd Squadron ‘La Comète', which had been decommissioned in 2001.

The milestone came about seven years after Belgium approved the purchase in 2018 of an initial two systems, comprising four air vehicles. The second aircraft of the first system is expected by mid-November, while the second complete system is expected to be delivered by the end of 2026. Furthermore, the government's strategic vision includes the acquisition of a third system (again for two air vehicles), with discussions on this subject planned for the near future. If realised, this would give the FAé a fleet of six air vehicles.

To date, six Belgian crews have already been trained on this new platform. Initial operating capability is due by the third quarter (Q3) of 2026, and full operating capability by Q2 of 2027.

By then the 2nd Squadron will already be able to carry out intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, with the goal to ensure six-month deployments with operations six days a week for 16 hours a day. Belgium plans to arm the MQ-9Bs, initially with MBDA Brimstone air-to-ground missiles, to be followed by Lockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and Boeing GBU-54 Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition (LJDAM) guided bombs.