Belgium Purchases Rockets from Germany for Ukraine
Belgium's Ministry of Defence has acquired a stockpile of Sea Sparrow-class air-to-air missiles following the retirement of the last German frigate using this NATO equipment. Part of these rockets is intended for Ukraine, as reported by the Belgian publication L’Echo.
A total of 14 rockets were acquired, with eight of them earmarked for transfer to Ukraine. According to the Ministry of Defence spokesperson Ludivine Dedonder, this assistance "illustrates Belgium's complementary support."
Ukraine may modernize these rockets for use from land or drones. Belgium was able to purchase them at 7,000 euros per unit.
It's worth noting that the Sea Sparrow missile is developed by Raytheon and General Dynamics. It has a range of up to 30 kilometres and travels at speeds of approximately 4,200 kilometres per hour.
The publication also mentions that the Belgian government is considering allocating a new military aid package to Ukraine totalling over 150,000 euros. About a third of this sum would be used for the purchase of the aforementioned rockets.
According to reports, the Belgian Minister of Defence is also proposing to provide the Ukrainian army with 3,200 FNC magazines for assault rifles from Fabrique Nationale and around fifty Bangalore explosive devices for breaching ground obstacles.
Recall that at the beginning of June, the Belgian Council of Ministers approved the 14th military aid package to Ukraine, totalling 32 million euros. Shortly after, the 15th military aid package was approved, under which Belgium would purchase and supply Ukrainian forces with tracked armoured personnel carriers, specifically M113-type armoured personnel carriers that the Belgian army had decommissioned over a decade ago.
Before their delivery to Ukraine, these vehicles will be brought into working condition by Belgian industry.
The military assistance provided by Belgium is part of coordination between NATO countries that are part of the contact group with Ukraine, aimed at responding to the specific requests of the country.
Overall, the Belgian Ministry of Defence has provided military assistance to Ukraine totalling over 306 million euros, with 41 million euros spent on fuel procurement.