UK to provide Belgium with mission data expertise

UK company QinetiQ will collaborate with European SMEs to aid Belgium in the collection, processing and application of mission data.  

Expertise shared will help Belgium develop long-term and sovereign capabilities, including the establishment of a Joint Electromagnetic Warfare Support Centre (JEWSC). 

The agreement was announced by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) on 31 March, when a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by the UK and Belgium.

The importance of mission data  

According to the MoD, mission data – gathered from threat signatures, radar, and communications frequencies – is playing an “increasingly vital role” on the modern battlefield. 

Major General Ciparisse, Commander of the Belgian Cyber Force, said that the proliferation of high-technology defence platforms has led to a “growing need” for electromagnetic warfare expertise.  

He added that the new agreement is based on the ‘Societas’ programme – a QinetiQ-led partnership to enhance mission data capabilities in the UK announced in 2023.  

QinetiQ is a technology and systems provider that particularly specialises in R&D, testing and training. Steve Wadey the Group CEO of QinetiQ added that the company’s “extensive” experience supporting the UK’s management of mission data means it can provide effective specialist training.  

Defence in Europe  

Luke Pollard, UK Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, added that the MoU not only brings investment into the UK but also strengthens European resilience.  

“By combining our expertise and investing in shared capabilities, we are strengthening NATO and showing Britain stands shoulder-to-shoulder with our European allies,” Pollard said.  

The MoD says that the agreement will also enhance the UK’s ability to support the General Atomics MQ-9B Protector UAS across Europe. This platform is used by NATO members throughout Europe, including Germany and Denmark.  

Looking ahead, Belgium and the UK plan to further increase their cooperation and resilience by moving towards a “burden-sharing model”.