The U.S. State Department has approved a potential foreign military sale to Belgium for Hellfire missiles, valued at up to $79 million. The formal notification has been delivered to Congress by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.
Belgium’s request includes up to 240 AGM-114R2 Hellfire missiles. The proposed package also encompasses comprehensive support elements such as U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics services, training programs, communications equipment, spare parts, and related technical documentation.
This prospective sale aligns with U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by enhancing the defensive capacity of a key NATO ally. Belgium plays a significant role in European political stability and security. The advanced missiles are intended to strengthen Belgium’s combat effectiveness, particularly for counterterrorism missions. As an established operator of sophisticated air-to-ground munitions through its F-16 and forthcoming F-35 aircraft programs, Belgium is well-positioned to integrate these systems seamlessly into its existing armed forces.
The U.S. government assesses that this transfer will not disrupt the fundamental military equilibrium within the European region. The principal contractor for this potential sale is Lockheed Martin Corporation, headquartered in Troy, Alabama. The U.S. government notes it is currently unaware of any offset agreements associated with this sale; any such arrangements would be negotiated directly between the Belgian government and the contractor.
Executing this sale is not expected to necessitate the permanent assignment of additional U.S. government or contractor personnel to Belgium. Furthermore, the transfer is projected to have no negative effect on U.S. military readiness or defense capabilities.
The stated cost and quantity of missiles represent the maximum estimated figures based on initial Belgian requirements. The final agreement’s actual value and scale may be lower, contingent upon finalized Belgian needs, available budget, and the terms of any signed sales agreement.
