The US State Department has approved the potential $567.8-million sale of RTX’s AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles to Belgium.
Brussels’ requested package includes 320 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder tactical missiles; 258 AIM-9X Block II+ Sidewinder tactical missiles; 50 AIM-9X Block II tactical guidance units; and 30 AIM-9X Block II+ tactical guidance units for its F-35 Lightning II fleet.
Missile containers, weapon software, transportation, US government and contractor engineering, technical and logistical support services, as well as other related elements of logistics and program support, are also covered.
These will improve Belgium’s capabilities in support of NATO’s defense mission, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.
Earlier this month, Washington also approved a possible foreign military sale of up to 96 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II/II+ missiles to three NATO allies, including Belgium.
Belgian F-35 Fleet
Brussels first announced its acquisition of 34 Lockheed Martin F-35s in 2018 as a replacement for its F-16 Fighting Falcons, operational in the country’s air force since 1979.
It began training its pilots at Luke Air Force Base in the US in December 2024, and followed up with an additional order for 11 F-35 fighter jets in July of this year.
The entire fleet of 45 Lightning II aircraft is set to be operational by 2031.
