The US State Department has approved a possible $79-million foreign military sale to Belgium for AGM-114R2 Hellfire missiles and related support.
Brussels requested up to 240 Hellfire systems. The package includes engineering and technical support, training, spare parts, and ammunition.
It also provides communications equipment, maintenance services, and other logistics support.
According to the US government, the sale would strengthen Belgium’s ability to conduct counterterrorism operations.
The European nation already operates advanced air-to-ground weapons through its F-35 and F-16 fleets and is expected to integrate the new missiles smoothly.
Lockheed Martin in Troy, Alabama, will be the main contractor, and any potential offset would be negotiated directly between the company and Belgium.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the US by improving the security of a NATO Ally which is an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe,” stated the US government.
Hellfire Missile
The Hellfire missile uses a semi-active laser seeker, a multipurpose warhead, and a programmable flight profile to engage different targets.
The guidance system can re-acquire a target if tracking is disrupted, such as when passing through low cloud layers.
Depending on the mission, the missile can lock onto a target either before launch or after launch, improving the launching platform’s survivability.
Last year, the US signed a $483-million agreement with Lockheed Martin to produce another batch of AGM-114R2 Hellfire and Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles. It was the third follow-on award since the program began in 2023, bringing the total value to about $4.5 billion.
The order covers deliveries to the US Army and partner nations, including the Czech Republic, France, and Poland, via foreign military sales.
