Belgium Launches First US MQ-9B SkyGuardian Drone Marking Leap in Intelligence Capacity.

The Belgian Air Force inaugurated its first MQ-9B SkyGuardian drone at Florennes Air Base on September 23, 2025. The U.S.-made system boosts NATO surveillance capabilities and strengthens Belgium’s defense modernization.

The Belgian Air Force officially inaugurated its first MQ-9B SkyGuardian drone at Florennes Air Base on September 23, 2025. The event, attended by Defense Minister Theo Francken, marks an important step in the modernization of the Air Component. This first aircraft, produced by the American company General Atomics, is the prelude to a fleet of six systems scheduled for delivery by 2028. At Florennes, military authorities also opened new facilities specifically designed to host control stations and train crews for the operation of these remotely piloted aircraft. The adoption of this platform reflects Belgium’s intention to expand its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities while aligning its defense effort with the technological and doctrinal framework of NATO allies.
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The delivery of all six aircraft by 2028 will provide Belgium with a fleet able to meet both national requirements and international commitments. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The MQ-9B SkyGuardian is a direct evolution of the MQ-9A Reaper, already widely used by the United States, the United Kingdom, and several European air forces. Its main advantage lies in compliance with civil aviation safety standards, allowing it to operate in mixed airspaces without disrupting existing traffic. With an endurance of over 40 hours and an operational ceiling above 12,000 meters, it can maintain a continuous presence over an area of interest well beyond the capacity of manned systems. This endurance gives Belgium a permanent surveillance capability, whether for maritime approaches, critical infrastructure, or overseas operations. The system relies on a remotely piloted architecture managed from ground stations, and Belgium will receive three of these command centers. In this framework, the 2nd Squadron of the 2nd Tactical Wing at Florennes, disbanded in 2001, was reactivated in 2023 to operate the fleet.

Technically, the SkyGuardian is designed for versatility. With a wingspan of 24 meters and a length of 12 meters, it is one of the largest aircraft in the RPAS category. Powered by a Honeywell TPE331-10 turboprop engine, it has a maximum take-off weight of 5,670 kg, nearly half of which can be fuel, ensuring long endurance. Its payload capacity is divided between a 363 kg internal bay and nine external hardpoints capable of carrying up to 2,155 kg of equipment, including sensors, specialized pods, or guided munitions. The aircraft is delivered with a Lynx multi-mode radar, a high-definition electro-optical and infrared sensor, and a dual satellite communication system, allowing permanent beyond-line-of-sight connectivity with operators.

The MQ-9B’s specifications place it at the top of the MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) drone category. It can cover more than 6,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 210 knots while retaining the ability to hold a fixed position over an observation area. It also integrates a detect-and-avoid system compliant with STANAG 4671, ensuring safety in both civilian and military airspace. The platform is designed to operate in adverse weather conditions, with de-icing, lightning protection, and an airframe rated for 40,000 flight hours. It also features automatic take-off and landing capabilities, reducing crew workload and improving operational safety.

The arrival of the first aircraft at Florennes in late August allowed training flights to begin immediately. Belgian crews are already trained in piloting and basic procedures. The next phase will focus on developing tactical use by adapting existing doctrines to the specific needs of the platform. The Air Force expects an initial operational capability in 2026, with missions ranging from Belgian airspace surveillance to overseas deployments under NATO or European Union mandates. These first steps will be decisive in determining how to integrate the SkyGuardian within a multinational framework already accustomed to operating drones of this type.

Training of operators is being carried out in several phases. The first Belgian crews were trained in the United States, the next group is undergoing training in the United Kingdom, and in the future, Belgium intends to conduct training domestically at Florennes. Personnel are drawn both from former pilots and from specialists recruited specifically for this role. In operational terms, the SkyGuardian fleet will not be limited to the Air Component but will be used by a joint force for the benefit of all components of the Belgian armed forces.

The delivery of all six aircraft by 2028 will provide Belgium with a fleet able to meet both national requirements and international commitments. These drones will be divided between operational units and training centers to ensure sustainable use. The new infrastructure built at Florennes, including specialized hangars, command facilities, and data analysis centers, illustrates the scale of adaptation required to integrate such a system. This structural reorganization is part of a long-term effort to strengthen the Air Component in light of Europe’s evolving security environment.

Operationally, the benefits are numerous. The MQ-9B provides Belgium with constant intelligence and surveillance capacity, crucial in a strategic context marked by unpredictability. Its endurance enables simultaneous missions, such as maritime patrols in the exclusive economic zone, observation of foreign military activities, detection of unconventional threats, or support to civil authorities in emergencies such as large-scale fires. The Belgian authorities also intend to arm the drones in the medium term, with discussions already underway with the United Kingdom on the integration of precision-guided munitions. Once equipped, the aircraft will combine ISR and strike roles. In coalition operations, Belgian SkyGuardians will therefore be able to contribute both intelligence and precision engagement capabilities, reinforcing the credibility of Belgium’s contributions to NATO and EU operations.

The geopolitical environment adds weight to this acquisition. The war in Ukraine, tensions in the North Sea linked to Russian naval activity, persistent instability in parts of Africa, and NATO’s growing expectations in terms of capability contributions form the backdrop of this decision. In this context, Belgium aims to maximize limited resources by focusing on platforms offering high surveillance and power projection efficiency. The arrival of the MQ-9B follows this logic: filling a capability gap, enhancing interoperability with allies, and signaling credible engagement in collective security.

The integration of the MQ-9B SkyGuardian into the Belgian Air Force therefore, goes beyond the procurement of new equipment. It reflects doctrinal, organizational, and strategic adjustments that redefine the country’s military posture. By combining endurance, versatility, and the future option of armed operations, this platform gives Belgium a tool that responds to the demands of a rapidly changing security environment and places the Air Component at the center of both national and European defense strategy.