Breaking News: Belgium To Equip Future F-35 Fleet With AIM-9X Sidewinder Missiles In U.S. Deal
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On September 15, 2025, the U.S. State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Belgium covering AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles and related equipment, as reported by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). The initial certification notified to Congress set the ceiling of the package at $567.8 million (approximately €480 million), but the Belgian Defence Ministry has since confirmed that the actual cost will be €280 million. Pentagon officials explained that U.S. procedures systematically inflate the notified value to Congress to provide flexibility during negotiations, leading to a gap between the approved ceiling and the final contract. The package covers several hundred missiles and guidance units for Belgium’s new F-35 jets replacing F-16s. The Pentagon said the sale will strengthen Belgium’s ability to face threats and support NATO’s mission.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The AIM-9X Sidewinder is the latest evolution of a missile family first introduced in the 1950s. Its Block II and II+ variants feature lock-on after launch, improved seekers, and advanced electronic counter-countermeasures, making them well-suited for integration with Belgium’s incoming F-35 Lightning II fighters (Picture source: U.S. Navy )
According to the official request, Belgium will acquire up to 320 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder tactical missiles, 258 AIM-9X Block II+ tactical missiles, 50 AIM-9X Block II tactical guidance units, and 30 AIM-9X Block II+ tactical guidance units. The deal also includes missile containers, weapon software, transportation, as well as U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistical support. The principal contractor is RTX Corporation, based in Arlington, Virginia, with no offset agreement announced to date. Implementation will involve the temporary deployment of U.S. personnel in Belgium to assist with technical oversight.
The AIM-9X Sidewinder is the latest evolution of a missile family first introduced in the 1950s. Its Block II and II+ variants feature lock-on after launch, improved seekers, and advanced electronic counter-countermeasures, making them well-suited for integration with Belgium’s incoming F-35 Lightning II fighters. The weapon is already fielded by several NATO allies, ensuring interoperability in multinational operations. Compared with European alternatives such as IRIS-T or ASRAAM, the AIM-9X places greater emphasis on integration within the U.S.-led F-35 ecosystem, giving Belgium streamlined access to NATO-standard combat capabilities.
Belgium previously relied on older Sidewinder models for its F-16 fleet, and the acquisition guarantees continuity as the Air Force transitions to fifth-generation fighters. Operationally, the missile provides a decisive advantage in short-range air combat where maneuverability and resilience against jamming are critical. By fielding the AIM-9X alongside the F-35’s advanced avionics, Belgium ensures that its fleet will be equipped to meet both current and emerging aerial threats.
Strategically, the sale reflects Washington’s intent to strengthen the defense posture of NATO allies amid heightened European security concerns. The Pentagon stressed that the acquisition “will not alter the basic military balance in the region” but will significantly improve Belgium’s ability to contribute to collective deterrence. For Brussels, the purchase comes under the Ammunition Readiness Plan 2025, a multi-year program approved in July to rebuild national stockpiles and address long-standing shortages across the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Although the DSCA initially set the maximum value at nearly €480 million, Belgian officials confirmed through spokesperson Jan Van Camp, representing Defence Minister Theo Francken, that the real cost stands at €280 million. He clarified that the €200 million gap results from standard U.S. export licensing procedures, where Congress authorizes a higher ceiling to account for possible changes before final signature. Delivery timelines for the missiles remain uncertain, with officials citing global supply chain strains and rising demand for advanced munitions.
By securing this contract, Belgium ensures that its future F-35 fleet will enter service with cutting-edge short-range missiles, reinforcing the country’s role within NATO’s collective air defense mission and highlighting Brussels’ commitment to maintaining credible military capabilities at a time of shifting regional security dynamics. The acquisition also reflects a broader effort by Belgium to modernize its armed forces and address long-standing gaps in ammunition stockpiles, as outlined in the Ammunition Readiness Plan 2025. In practical terms, the integration of AIM-9X Sidewinders with the F-35 guarantees operational continuity as the Air Force phases out its aging F-16 fleet, while also providing interoperability with allied forces that already operate the same missile system. Taken together, the deal underscores Belgium’s determination to remain a reliable contributor to NATO deterrence, even as Europe faces rising demand for advanced munitions and growing pressure to invest in collective defense.
Written by Teoman S. Nicanci – Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Teoman S. Nicanci holds degrees in Political Science, Comparative and International Politics, and International Relations and Diplomacy from leading Belgian universities, with research focused on Russian strategic behavior, defense technology, and modern warfare. He is a defense analyst at Army Recognition, specializing in the global defense industry, military armament, and emerging defense technologies.
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On September 15, 2025, the U.S. State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Belgium covering AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles and related equipment, as reported by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). The initial certification notified to Congress set the ceiling of the package at $567.8 million (approximately €480 million), but the Belgian Defence Ministry has since confirmed that the actual cost will be €280 million. Pentagon officials explained that U.S. procedures systematically inflate the notified value to Congress to provide flexibility during negotiations, leading to a gap between the approved ceiling and the final contract. The package covers several hundred missiles and guidance units for Belgium’s new F-35 jets replacing F-16s. The Pentagon said the sale will strengthen Belgium’s ability to face threats and support NATO’s mission.
The AIM-9X Sidewinder is the latest evolution of a missile family first introduced in the 1950s. Its Block II and II+ variants feature lock-on after launch, improved seekers, and advanced electronic counter-countermeasures, making them well-suited for integration with Belgium’s incoming F-35 Lightning II fighters (Picture source: U.S. Navy )
According to the official request, Belgium will acquire up to 320 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder tactical missiles, 258 AIM-9X Block II+ tactical missiles, 50 AIM-9X Block II tactical guidance units, and 30 AIM-9X Block II+ tactical guidance units. The deal also includes missile containers, weapon software, transportation, as well as U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistical support. The principal contractor is RTX Corporation, based in Arlington, Virginia, with no offset agreement announced to date. Implementation will involve the temporary deployment of U.S. personnel in Belgium to assist with technical oversight.
The AIM-9X Sidewinder is the latest evolution of a missile family first introduced in the 1950s. Its Block II and II+ variants feature lock-on after launch, improved seekers, and advanced electronic counter-countermeasures, making them well-suited for integration with Belgium’s incoming F-35 Lightning II fighters. The weapon is already fielded by several NATO allies, ensuring interoperability in multinational operations. Compared with European alternatives such as IRIS-T or ASRAAM, the AIM-9X places greater emphasis on integration within the U.S.-led F-35 ecosystem, giving Belgium streamlined access to NATO-standard combat capabilities.
Belgium previously relied on older Sidewinder models for its F-16 fleet, and the acquisition guarantees continuity as the Air Force transitions to fifth-generation fighters. Operationally, the missile provides a decisive advantage in short-range air combat where maneuverability and resilience against jamming are critical. By fielding the AIM-9X alongside the F-35’s advanced avionics, Belgium ensures that its fleet will be equipped to meet both current and emerging aerial threats.
Strategically, the sale reflects Washington’s intent to strengthen the defense posture of NATO allies amid heightened European security concerns. The Pentagon stressed that the acquisition “will not alter the basic military balance in the region” but will significantly improve Belgium’s ability to contribute to collective deterrence. For Brussels, the purchase comes under the Ammunition Readiness Plan 2025, a multi-year program approved in July to rebuild national stockpiles and address long-standing shortages across the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Although the DSCA initially set the maximum value at nearly €480 million, Belgian officials confirmed through spokesperson Jan Van Camp, representing Defence Minister Theo Francken, that the real cost stands at €280 million. He clarified that the €200 million gap results from standard U.S. export licensing procedures, where Congress authorizes a higher ceiling to account for possible changes before final signature. Delivery timelines for the missiles remain uncertain, with officials citing global supply chain strains and rising demand for advanced munitions.
By securing this contract, Belgium ensures that its future F-35 fleet will enter service with cutting-edge short-range missiles, reinforcing the country’s role within NATO’s collective air defense mission and highlighting Brussels’ commitment to maintaining credible military capabilities at a time of shifting regional security dynamics. The acquisition also reflects a broader effort by Belgium to modernize its armed forces and address long-standing gaps in ammunition stockpiles, as outlined in the Ammunition Readiness Plan 2025. In practical terms, the integration of AIM-9X Sidewinders with the F-35 guarantees operational continuity as the Air Force phases out its aging F-16 fleet, while also providing interoperability with allied forces that already operate the same missile system. Taken together, the deal underscores Belgium’s determination to remain a reliable contributor to NATO deterrence, even as Europe faces rising demand for advanced munitions and growing pressure to invest in collective defense.
Written by Teoman S. Nicanci – Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Teoman S. Nicanci holds degrees in Political Science, Comparative and International Politics, and International Relations and Diplomacy from leading Belgian universities, with research focused on Russian strategic behavior, defense technology, and modern warfare. He is a defense analyst at Army Recognition, specializing in the global defense industry, military armament, and emerging defense technologies.
