Belgium approves €140 million acquisition of reconnaissance drones for NATO missions.

Belgium’s federal government has approved the procurement of reconnaissance and surveillance mini-drones for the armed forces deployed in Romania and Lithuania, budgeted at €140.8 million between 2025 and 2028.

As reported by La Libre on December 14, 2025, Belgium has authorized the acquisition of hundreds of mini-drones for reconnaissance and surveillance missions to support troops deployed in Romania and Lithuania. The program, budgeted at €140.8 million between 2025 and 2028, is intended to provide tactical-level situational awareness aligned with NATO eastern flank deployments.
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Theo Francken stated that these drones will enable Belgian soldiers to obtain information in real time, improving protection and allowing quicker reactions during operational deployments. (Picture source: Belgian Army)

The decision is directly linked to the needs of Belgian troops deployed in Romania and Lithuania, where small unmanned aerial systems are increasingly used to improve situational awareness in complex and fluid environments. In Romania, Belgian personnel participate in allied deployments connected to regional security in the Black Sea area, working alongside other NATO forces in a multinational environment. In Lithuania, Belgian troops are part of allied efforts aimed at reinforcing security in the Baltic region, where geographic proximity to Russia and Belarus shapes the operational context. These deployments involve routine activities such as monitoring, coordination with partner units, and readiness tasks under evolving security conditions. The operating environment requires timely situational awareness at local level to support decision-making and force protection. The acquisition of reconnaissance and surveillance mini-drones is directly linked to these operational requirements faced by Belgian units in Romania and Lithuania.

Defence Minister Theo Francken, who also serves as Minister for Foreign Trade, presented the purchase as a response to concrete operational requirements rather than a purely structural modernization effort. The approval places mini-drones among the standard tools expected to be available to deployed units. It also reflects Belgium’s broader effort to align equipment choices with its commitments on NATO’s eastern flank. The acquisition is described as substantial in scale and oriented toward immediate readiness. In this context, the planned introduction of hundreds of systems is intended to provide a persistent and flexible reconnaissance capability at the tactical level. The authorization was formally granted by the Council of Ministers on Friday, December 12, 2025, allowing Defence to proceed with the purchase of drones dedicated to reconnaissance and surveillance missions.

The stated objective of the acquisition is to support Belgian troops deployed in Romania and Lithuania, ensuring that procurement decisions remain closely tied to operational deployments abroad. Theo Francken publicly addressed the decision on Sunday, December 14, 2025, underlining that the systems are meant to assist soldiers directly during missions. He emphasized their role in providing real-time information, improving force protection, and enabling faster reactions in demanding operational contexts. In Dutch-language communication, the acquisition was also described as urgent in light of the geopolitical situation. This emphasis reinforces the perception that the capability is considered necessary in the near term. The timing suggests a focus on closing capability gaps rather than deferring the investment.

The procurement is being carried out through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency, a framework regularly used by Belgium for alliance-related acquisitions. The approved package includes not only the delivery of the drones themselves but also maintenance support and training for operators and technicians. This approach indicates an intention to field the systems with a complete support structure from the outset. The repeated reference to mini-drones points to small, short-range platforms suitable for tactical reconnaissance rather than larger unmanned aircraft designed for strategic missions. The scale of the acquisition, described as involving hundreds of systems, suggests broad distribution across deployed units rather than limited use by specialized elements. By integrating training and maintenance into the package, Defence aims to ensure that the drones can be used effectively and sustained over time. This structure reflects an emphasis on operational continuity.

From a financial standpoint, the total cost of the program is estimated at €140.8 million over the 2025–2028 period, spreading expenditure across several budget years. For 2025, €53.7 million is identified as committed, forming the initial tranche of the overall investment. The needs for subsequent years are to be evaluated, indicating that later allocations may depend on evolving operational requirements and experience gained during early fielding. The overall budget envelope is described as divided between investments in main equipment and smaller investments. This distinction implies that funding covers not only the drones but also associated enabling elements required for their effective use. Such elements can include support equipment, training resources, and sustainment measures. The multi-year structure provides flexibility while maintaining a defined financial framework. It also allows adjustments as the systems are integrated into regular operations.

Looking forward, Belgium’s defence policy indicates an interest in not only addressing immediate needs but also in building longer-term capacity to manage unmanned systems and counter threats in a dynamic security environment. Defence officials have signalled plans to invest significantly beyond an initial €50 million anti-drone package, with proposals to allocate up to €500 million for a comprehensive strategy that could include advanced radar networks, expanded electronic warfare and jamming capabilities, and sustained development of indigenous and collaborative technologies. This longer-term perspective reflects recognition that drones, both in offensive and defensive roles, are becoming a persistent factor, that must be taken into account.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.