Belgium has awarded a 226.7-million-euro ($263-million) contract for the procurement of Mistral very-short-range air defense missile systems.
France’s defense procurement agency is the contracting authority for the order, with delivery expected over the next six years.
The procurement aims to bolster Belgium’s defenses against emerging threats, particularly armed drones.
Belgium is among five countries that signed a 2024 framework agreement to jointly acquire Mistral missiles produced by MBDA.
More than 1,500 missiles are expected to be procured under the arrangement, which is eligible for support from the European Union’s 310-million-euro ($360-million) short-term instrument to encourage joint defense procurement among member states.
Mistral Missile
The Mistral missile is designed for multi-platform deployment, including integration on ground vehicles, surface ships, helicopters, and in a man-portable configuration.
Its latest variant, the Mistral 3, has an interception range of up to 8,000 meters (26,247 feet) and can engage targets at altitudes of up to 6,000 meters (19,685 feet).
The supersonic, highly maneuverable missile features a fire-and-forget infrared imaging seeker supported by advanced image-processing technology.
With a stated success rate of 96 percent, it can effectively neutralize targets with low thermal signatures, including drones, turbojet-powered missiles, and fast attack craft, even at extended ranges.
