Belgium could soon produce US AMRAAM air-to-air missiles as Europe races to restore air defense capabilities
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According to VRT News on July 17, 2025, Belgium is set to begin partial domestic production of AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles following an agreement between U.S. defense contractor RTX and the Walloon arms manufacturer FN Herstal. According to the media, the deal grants FN Herstal responsibility for manufacturing certain components and conducting final assembly of the missiles.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile) is a radar-guided beyond-visual-range missile that has become the primary air-to-air weapon for many Western fighter aircraft and a key component of several ground-based air defense systems. (Picture source: Army Recognition)
The agreement was reportedly concluded after several weeks of confidential negotiations and is part of a broader procurement effort connected to the acquisition of Norwegian NASAMS air defense systems. Sources familiar with the matter stated that FN Herstal would be assigned part of the component production and the final integration process. Production in Belgium is not expected to begin immediately, and FN Herstal will require time to establish the necessary facilities and train personnel. In the meantime, Belgium may rely on missile stocks borrowed from Poland to support operational deployment.
This possible missile production agreement is linked to Belgium’s confirmed purchase of ten NASAMS batteries, of which nine are for Belgian use and one for Luxembourg, as part of a joint procurement conducted in cooperation with the Netherlands. The total cost of the NASAMS acquisition is estimated at €2.5 billion, not including the cost of the AMRAAM missiles themselves, which can exceed €1 million per unit depending on the variant. Each NASAMS battery includes radars, fire control units, and launchers, with each launcher typically carrying six missiles. This procurement forms part of Belgium’s €36 billion long-term defense investment plan, which aims to reach NATO-defined capability targets. According to statements from Belgian Chief of Defence Frederik Vansina, the country is currently beginning from zero in terms of ground-based air defense, and the NASAMS system has been selected as the basis for building this capability. Vansina stated that Belgium represents “a black hole” in European air defense and emphasized the importance of acquiring medium-range systems to protect key infrastructure such as the ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge.
NASAMS uses the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile, originally designed as an air-to-air weapon but adapted for surface launch in the 1990s. Developed by the United States during the late Cold War as a successor to the AIM-7 Sparrow, the AMRAAM entered service in 1991 and has since been used by over 35 countries. It is characterized by active radar homing, inertial midcourse guidance, and fire-and-forget capability. Surface-launched variants such as the AIM-120C and AIM-120D have effective ranges of up to 160 kilometers and altitudes of over 35 kilometers, depending on the model. The AMRAAM has been integrated into NASAMS batteries operated by multiple NATO countries, including Norway, the Netherlands, Spain, Lithuania, and Finland. The missile is capable of intercepting various airborne threats, including cruise missiles, drones, fixed-wing aircraft, and helicopters. According to the Norwegian Armed Forces, NASAMS batteries in Ukraine destroyed approximately 900 aerial targets by February 2025, with a claimed hit rate of 94 percent. A single Ukrainian NASAMS battery reportedly intercepted 11 Russian cruise missiles within two minutes on April 27, 2025.
The decision to assemble AMRAAM missiles in Belgium comes in response to earlier criticism regarding the limited industrial return from previous foreign arms purchases, including the F-35 program. Some Belgian political parties, such as CD&V and Les Engagés, had raised concerns about reliance on U.S.-based assembly lines and the absence of domestic manufacturing roles. The RTX–FN Herstal agreement addresses part of these concerns by assigning final assembly work to a Belgian company. However, it does not include production of propulsion systems or seeker heads, which remain under U.S. control or are sourced from suppliers such as Nammo in Norway. While some AMRAAM components have long been produced internationally, this is the first confirmed assignment of final assembly responsibilities to FN Herstal. The agreement may offer further integration into NATO supply chains if sustained demand persists, though this will require close coordination with U.S. export regulations and performance requirements.
AMRAAM production capacity has increased significantly since 2022 in response to rising global demand, particularly following the transfer of stocks to Ukraine. RTX, the missile’s primary contractor, reported that it reached a production rate of approximately 1,200 missiles per year in 2024 and intended to double output again by 2025. This expansion is intended to meet the needs of both U.S. and foreign customers. European countries have submitted multiple large-scale orders in recent years. Germany ordered over 1,000 AIM-120C-8 missiles, Poland 745, and other NATO members, including Norway, Romania, Denmark, and the Netherlands, placed orders for AIM-120C-8 and AIM-120D-3 variants. These missiles are used both on fighter aircraft and in NASAMS systems. The Belgian agreement with FN Herstal reflects a broader trend toward localized production and diversified supply chains among NATO members seeking to mitigate dependency risks and reinforce their own defense industrial bases. Japan began licensed production of AMRAAMs in 2024, and further international assembly lines may be considered if demand remains high.
The AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile) family includes multiple variants. The AIM-120A and AIM-120B introduced the initial design and digital processing upgrades. The AIM-120C variants feature clipped control surfaces and incremental range and guidance improvements, with the AIM-120C-7 widely exported. The AIM-120D includes a two-way datalink, GPS-assisted navigation, and extended range. The AIM-120D-3, now in production, features 15 updated circuit cards, improved software architecture, and enhanced resistance to jamming. Its export version, the AIM-120C-8, shares similar capabilities. All current AMRAAM production is focused on these two models. A ramjet-powered derivative, FMRAAM, was previously proposed to the UK but not adopted. Raytheon continues to offer an extended-range version for NASAMS, known as AMRAAM-ER. In addition to air and surface launch configurations, derivative programs such as the Network-Centric Airborne Defense Element (NCADE) have explored ballistic missile defense adaptations. Despite the ongoing development of the AIM-260 JATM as a successor missile, AMRAAM production is expected to continue through at least the end of the decade.
The Belgian Armed Forces’ return to ground-based air defense reflects NATO-wide capability planning and national rearmament efforts. The €2.5 billion NASAMS contract is part of a larger €4 billion budget for land-based air defense. To support these new systems, Belgium must invest in personnel, training, and infrastructure, including the establishment of air defense units and munitions stockpiles. The Ministry of Defense confirmed that for 2025, funding has been secured through temporary revenue sources and new debt issuance, with longer-term financial planning yet to be finalized. NATO expects members not only to acquire equipment but also to maintain force readiness and operational availability. Belgian officials have indicated that cooperation with countries such as Norway and the Netherlands may extend to operator training programs for NASAMS. The decision to pursue industrial participation in missile production is presented as part of a broader effort to align military investments with national economic interests. FN Herstal’s role in AMRAAM assembly may serve as a precedent for similar arrangements in future procurement programs.
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According to VRT News on July 17, 2025, Belgium is set to begin partial domestic production of AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles following an agreement between U.S. defense contractor RTX and the Walloon arms manufacturer FN Herstal. According to the media, the deal grants FN Herstal responsibility for manufacturing certain components and conducting final assembly of the missiles.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile) is a radar-guided beyond-visual-range missile that has become the primary air-to-air weapon for many Western fighter aircraft and a key component of several ground-based air defense systems. (Picture source: Army Recognition)
The agreement was reportedly concluded after several weeks of confidential negotiations and is part of a broader procurement effort connected to the acquisition of Norwegian NASAMS air defense systems. Sources familiar with the matter stated that FN Herstal would be assigned part of the component production and the final integration process. Production in Belgium is not expected to begin immediately, and FN Herstal will require time to establish the necessary facilities and train personnel. In the meantime, Belgium may rely on missile stocks borrowed from Poland to support operational deployment.
This possible missile production agreement is linked to Belgium’s confirmed purchase of ten NASAMS batteries, of which nine are for Belgian use and one for Luxembourg, as part of a joint procurement conducted in cooperation with the Netherlands. The total cost of the NASAMS acquisition is estimated at €2.5 billion, not including the cost of the AMRAAM missiles themselves, which can exceed €1 million per unit depending on the variant. Each NASAMS battery includes radars, fire control units, and launchers, with each launcher typically carrying six missiles. This procurement forms part of Belgium’s €36 billion long-term defense investment plan, which aims to reach NATO-defined capability targets. According to statements from Belgian Chief of Defence Frederik Vansina, the country is currently beginning from zero in terms of ground-based air defense, and the NASAMS system has been selected as the basis for building this capability. Vansina stated that Belgium represents “a black hole” in European air defense and emphasized the importance of acquiring medium-range systems to protect key infrastructure such as the ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge.
NASAMS uses the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile, originally designed as an air-to-air weapon but adapted for surface launch in the 1990s. Developed by the United States during the late Cold War as a successor to the AIM-7 Sparrow, the AMRAAM entered service in 1991 and has since been used by over 35 countries. It is characterized by active radar homing, inertial midcourse guidance, and fire-and-forget capability. Surface-launched variants such as the AIM-120C and AIM-120D have effective ranges of up to 160 kilometers and altitudes of over 35 kilometers, depending on the model. The AMRAAM has been integrated into NASAMS batteries operated by multiple NATO countries, including Norway, the Netherlands, Spain, Lithuania, and Finland. The missile is capable of intercepting various airborne threats, including cruise missiles, drones, fixed-wing aircraft, and helicopters. According to the Norwegian Armed Forces, NASAMS batteries in Ukraine destroyed approximately 900 aerial targets by February 2025, with a claimed hit rate of 94 percent. A single Ukrainian NASAMS battery reportedly intercepted 11 Russian cruise missiles within two minutes on April 27, 2025.
The decision to assemble AMRAAM missiles in Belgium comes in response to earlier criticism regarding the limited industrial return from previous foreign arms purchases, including the F-35 program. Some Belgian political parties, such as CD&V and Les Engagés, had raised concerns about reliance on U.S.-based assembly lines and the absence of domestic manufacturing roles. The RTX–FN Herstal agreement addresses part of these concerns by assigning final assembly work to a Belgian company. However, it does not include production of propulsion systems or seeker heads, which remain under U.S. control or are sourced from suppliers such as Nammo in Norway. While some AMRAAM components have long been produced internationally, this is the first confirmed assignment of final assembly responsibilities to FN Herstal. The agreement may offer further integration into NATO supply chains if sustained demand persists, though this will require close coordination with U.S. export regulations and performance requirements.
AMRAAM production capacity has increased significantly since 2022 in response to rising global demand, particularly following the transfer of stocks to Ukraine. RTX, the missile’s primary contractor, reported that it reached a production rate of approximately 1,200 missiles per year in 2024 and intended to double output again by 2025. This expansion is intended to meet the needs of both U.S. and foreign customers. European countries have submitted multiple large-scale orders in recent years. Germany ordered over 1,000 AIM-120C-8 missiles, Poland 745, and other NATO members, including Norway, Romania, Denmark, and the Netherlands, placed orders for AIM-120C-8 and AIM-120D-3 variants. These missiles are used both on fighter aircraft and in NASAMS systems. The Belgian agreement with FN Herstal reflects a broader trend toward localized production and diversified supply chains among NATO members seeking to mitigate dependency risks and reinforce their own defense industrial bases. Japan began licensed production of AMRAAMs in 2024, and further international assembly lines may be considered if demand remains high.
The AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile) family includes multiple variants. The AIM-120A and AIM-120B introduced the initial design and digital processing upgrades. The AIM-120C variants feature clipped control surfaces and incremental range and guidance improvements, with the AIM-120C-7 widely exported. The AIM-120D includes a two-way datalink, GPS-assisted navigation, and extended range. The AIM-120D-3, now in production, features 15 updated circuit cards, improved software architecture, and enhanced resistance to jamming. Its export version, the AIM-120C-8, shares similar capabilities. All current AMRAAM production is focused on these two models. A ramjet-powered derivative, FMRAAM, was previously proposed to the UK but not adopted. Raytheon continues to offer an extended-range version for NASAMS, known as AMRAAM-ER. In addition to air and surface launch configurations, derivative programs such as the Network-Centric Airborne Defense Element (NCADE) have explored ballistic missile defense adaptations. Despite the ongoing development of the AIM-260 JATM as a successor missile, AMRAAM production is expected to continue through at least the end of the decade.
The Belgian Armed Forces’ return to ground-based air defense reflects NATO-wide capability planning and national rearmament efforts. The €2.5 billion NASAMS contract is part of a larger €4 billion budget for land-based air defense. To support these new systems, Belgium must invest in personnel, training, and infrastructure, including the establishment of air defense units and munitions stockpiles. The Ministry of Defense confirmed that for 2025, funding has been secured through temporary revenue sources and new debt issuance, with longer-term financial planning yet to be finalized. NATO expects members not only to acquire equipment but also to maintain force readiness and operational availability. Belgian officials have indicated that cooperation with countries such as Norway and the Netherlands may extend to operator training programs for NASAMS. The decision to pursue industrial participation in missile production is presented as part of a broader effort to align military investments with national economic interests. FN Herstal’s role in AMRAAM assembly may serve as a precedent for similar arrangements in future procurement programs.
