Belgium deploys Polish-made air defense system, unveils new anti-drone capabilities

BRUSSELS

Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken on Tuesday officially handed over the Polish-made PIORUN air defense system and unveiled a package of new counter-drone capabilities to be deployed at all Belgian military bases from early January, Belga news agency reported.

PIORUN is a portable, shoulder-fired air defense system designed to neutralize low-flying aircraft, helicopters and larger drones. Training for military personnel will begin immediately, with a more intensive phase planned for 2026.

The systems were purchased from Poland and delivered at short notice following consultations with Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz. Francken said the special forces and paratroopers had been requesting such a capability for 16 years.

Alongside PIORUN, the Defense Ministry is accelerating investments in counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) capabilities, with around €50 million ($58 million) released ahead of schedule.

From early January, every Belgian military base will be equipped with an "immediate response kit" combining drone detection and electronic jamming, according to a new plan.

The lightweight and mobile system is worn by an operator, with antennas mounted on the back, and displays all detected drone activity on a digital map. While jammers can disrupt drones, neutralizing them will require shotguns with specialized counter-drone ammunition, which will also be available at all bases from early next year.

The newly presented equipment also includes radar systems such as the Saab Giraffe 1X for drone detection, electronic warfare tools to disable drones, and dedicated weapons to shoot them down.

The measures follow several incidents in October and November, when drones were repeatedly spotted over Belgian military sites and airports, exposing shortcomings in Belgium's air defense and anti-drone capabilities.

Francken warned that drone activity over Belgium has not ceased. "That is absolutely still happening, although we no longer see the same numbers. What we no longer see are operations with multiple drones over military domains. But there are still reports, for example, near the Tihange and Doel nuclear power plants," he added.