Belgium seeks industrial partner to create multi-layered C-UAS solution

Belgium is looking for a new industrial partner to help create a new, comprehensive counter-UAS (C-UAS) system-of-systems solution to protect its infrastructure and troops.

To discover the appropriate partner, Belgium’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) launched a competition on 21 April, inviting interested companies to submit their requests to participate by 11 May.

Spanning a 10-year period, the successful partner will be required to deliver, install, maintain, and iterate the C-UAS system, which will feature a broad range of C-UASs, from active and passive sensors to effectors.

What is the requirement?

The operational requirement is driven by the rapid proliferation of uncrewed systems, which now pose a persistent threat to frontline units, infrastructure, and assets.

To address this, Belgium is demanding a multi-tiered C-UAS solution capable of shielding forces in any state – whether at fixed sites, semi-permanent bases, or for highly mobile deployments, the MoD said.

At the heart of this system-of-systems will be a C-UAS command-and-control architecture. It is “the vital component”, ensuring that “all subsystems are integrated and remain integrated within one overarching operational capability.” 

The chosen partner must act as the integrator, ensuring all the technologies cooperate effectively.

Additional systems will be procured as the technology and threat evolves, so the C-UAS solution must be highly modular, the MoD said.

Despite not attributing any financial value to the competition, the requirement for a multi-tiered solution that can protect a range of different forces and sites over a 10-year period will require significant investment.

Belgium has been a defence spending laggard. However, following in the footsteps of its allies, Belgium increased defence spending from 1.3% to 2% of GDP last year. 

It also unveiled a EUR33.8 billion defence spending programme to significantly enhance its military capabilities in July. The plan details the MoD’s spending priorities for 2026 through 2034.