Breaking News: First MQ-9B SkyGuardian drone lands in Belgium ready to strengthen surveillance operations
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On August 18, 2025, the Belgian Defence reached a decisive milestone with the arrival of its first MQ-9B SkyGuardian system at Florennes Air Base. This event, the result of a program launched in 2018 and delayed by several technical issues, marks the Belgian Air Force’s entry into a new era of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. The official presentation is scheduled for September 23, 2025, when both the aircraft and the new dedicated infrastructure will be unveiled.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The aircraft is primarily designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations, but its potential extends further (Picture source: Belgian MoD)
The MQ-9B, developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, is an advanced evolution of the MQ-9 Reaper drone. Its key feature is certification in line with international civil aviation standards, allowing it to operate safely within civilian airspace. With a wingspan of nearly 24 meters, a maximum takeoff weight of 5,670 kg, and endurance exceeding 40 hours, the SkyGuardian is powered by a 900-horsepower Honeywell TPE331-10 turboprop engine. It can reach altitudes of 40,000 feet and cover distances of up to 11,000 km, giving Belgium the ability to carry out long-range strategic missions.
The aircraft is primarily designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations, but its potential extends further. With nine hardpoints, it can carry various armaments, including Brimstone air-to-ground missiles or Paveway IV guided bombs. Its sensor suite includes the Lynx II synthetic aperture radar, the AN/DAS-1 MTS-B electro-optical infrared sensor, and can be supplemented with maritime radars and an Automatic Identification System for sea monitoring. Optional kits include electronic warfare systems, signals intelligence equipment, and an anti-submarine warfare package with sonobuoy dispensers. Compatibility with the Link-16 data link ensures full interoperability with NATO forces.
The introduction of the SkyGuardian in Belgium fits within a broader international framework. Several Belgian companies have taken part in the program, producing components such as sensor protection housings and carrying out specific maintenance tasks. This industrial cooperation reflects the effort to involve the national defense industry while benefiting from partnerships with key allies, including the United Kingdom.
Alongside the delivery, substantial preparation on the human side has been carried out. Six remote pilots, six sensor operators, and six mission intelligence coordinators underwent intensive training in the United States. The program covered emergency procedures, operation of ground control stations, and system limitations, culminating in nine-hour flights with the SkyGuardian in California. A second training phase, focused on operational tactics, is planned in the United Kingdom. At Florennes, the 2nd Squadron Comet was reactivated to operate the new system, creating additional opportunities for those seeking to work with advanced military aviation technology.
On July 22, 2025, the United States validated the system’s Acceptance Test Procedure, confirming compliance of the drone, ground control station, and communications network with Belgian operational requirements. Following this, the SkyGuardian was dismantled and transported to Belgium aboard A400M transport aircraft in early August, before being reassembled at Florennes Air Base.
The arrival of the SkyGuardian is part of a wider transformation of the Belgian Armed Forces, which are increasingly prioritizing autonomous systems and innovation. For the first time, Belgium has decided that these drones may be armed, a decision approved at the political level and governed by strict rules of engagement. Beyond ISR missions, they could also be deployed for precision strikes if operationally required.
This enhancement comes as Belgium participates in the international coalition supporting Ukraine with drone capabilities. The recent appointment of Lieutenant General Michel Van Strythem to lead the “Drones and Innovation” Task Force highlights the strategic importance now placed on these systems. In this context, the SkyGuardian is more than a technical addition: it represents the adaptation of Belgian forces to evolving security challenges and their integration into multinational operations.
With the SkyGuardian, Belgium gains a new-generation strategic surveillance capability that is versatile and interoperable. Its deployment, combined with specialized training and contributions from the national defense industry, demonstrates a readiness to address future security challenges while consolidating the country’s role within NATO. The official presentation in September will mark both the culmination of a long-term project and the beginning of a new phase in the modernization of Belgian Defence.
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On August 18, 2025, the Belgian Defence reached a decisive milestone with the arrival of its first MQ-9B SkyGuardian system at Florennes Air Base. This event, the result of a program launched in 2018 and delayed by several technical issues, marks the Belgian Air Force’s entry into a new era of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. The official presentation is scheduled for September 23, 2025, when both the aircraft and the new dedicated infrastructure will be unveiled.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The aircraft is primarily designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations, but its potential extends further (Picture source: Belgian MoD)
The MQ-9B, developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, is an advanced evolution of the MQ-9 Reaper drone. Its key feature is certification in line with international civil aviation standards, allowing it to operate safely within civilian airspace. With a wingspan of nearly 24 meters, a maximum takeoff weight of 5,670 kg, and endurance exceeding 40 hours, the SkyGuardian is powered by a 900-horsepower Honeywell TPE331-10 turboprop engine. It can reach altitudes of 40,000 feet and cover distances of up to 11,000 km, giving Belgium the ability to carry out long-range strategic missions.
The aircraft is primarily designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations, but its potential extends further. With nine hardpoints, it can carry various armaments, including Brimstone air-to-ground missiles or Paveway IV guided bombs. Its sensor suite includes the Lynx II synthetic aperture radar, the AN/DAS-1 MTS-B electro-optical infrared sensor, and can be supplemented with maritime radars and an Automatic Identification System for sea monitoring. Optional kits include electronic warfare systems, signals intelligence equipment, and an anti-submarine warfare package with sonobuoy dispensers. Compatibility with the Link-16 data link ensures full interoperability with NATO forces.
The introduction of the SkyGuardian in Belgium fits within a broader international framework. Several Belgian companies have taken part in the program, producing components such as sensor protection housings and carrying out specific maintenance tasks. This industrial cooperation reflects the effort to involve the national defense industry while benefiting from partnerships with key allies, including the United Kingdom.
Alongside the delivery, substantial preparation on the human side has been carried out. Six remote pilots, six sensor operators, and six mission intelligence coordinators underwent intensive training in the United States. The program covered emergency procedures, operation of ground control stations, and system limitations, culminating in nine-hour flights with the SkyGuardian in California. A second training phase, focused on operational tactics, is planned in the United Kingdom. At Florennes, the 2nd Squadron Comet was reactivated to operate the new system, creating additional opportunities for those seeking to work with advanced military aviation technology.
On July 22, 2025, the United States validated the system’s Acceptance Test Procedure, confirming compliance of the drone, ground control station, and communications network with Belgian operational requirements. Following this, the SkyGuardian was dismantled and transported to Belgium aboard A400M transport aircraft in early August, before being reassembled at Florennes Air Base.
The arrival of the SkyGuardian is part of a wider transformation of the Belgian Armed Forces, which are increasingly prioritizing autonomous systems and innovation. For the first time, Belgium has decided that these drones may be armed, a decision approved at the political level and governed by strict rules of engagement. Beyond ISR missions, they could also be deployed for precision strikes if operationally required.
This enhancement comes as Belgium participates in the international coalition supporting Ukraine with drone capabilities. The recent appointment of Lieutenant General Michel Van Strythem to lead the “Drones and Innovation” Task Force highlights the strategic importance now placed on these systems. In this context, the SkyGuardian is more than a technical addition: it represents the adaptation of Belgian forces to evolving security challenges and their integration into multinational operations.
With the SkyGuardian, Belgium gains a new-generation strategic surveillance capability that is versatile and interoperable. Its deployment, combined with specialized training and contributions from the national defense industry, demonstrates a readiness to address future security challenges while consolidating the country’s role within NATO. The official presentation in September will mark both the culmination of a long-term project and the beginning of a new phase in the modernization of Belgian Defence.
