Belgium Revives Cold War Air Defense Squadron After 37 Years to Counter Drone Threats
Belgium has reactivated its 51st Squadron, a Cold War-era Nike Hercules air defense unit, after a 37-year hiatus. The squadron, which was disbanded in 1989 after the fall of the Berlin Wall, will now be responsible for the country's ground-based air defense. This move is part of Belgium's 'Blue Dome' plan, under which it is acquiring 10 NASAMS missile systems, 20 Skyranger 30 anti-aircraft guns, 14 modern radars, and 54 command vehicles. The first NASAMS system is expected by the end of 2027, with an initial capability being built through a leased system from 2027. Defense Minister Theo Francken linked this reactivation to the increasing drone threat on NATO's eastern flank, citing weekly airspace violations by missiles or drones in countries like Poland, Latvia, Romania, Estonia, and Lithuania. Belgium also hosts sensitive sites such as NATO and European Union headquarters, financial firms Euroclear and Swift, and the ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge, which require enhanced protection.
