Next year, the Belgian military will deploy a drone over the Mediterranean Sea next year to collect intelligence on illegal activities, including monitoring illegal migration routes and arms smuggling. The plan to deploy a drone is contained in the Belgian military’s 2026 Operations Plan that the Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken (Flemish nationalist) presented to parliament on Friday.
The Operations Plan outlines the Belgian military’s deployment priorities for the coming year. It received was given the thumbs up be the Federal Inner Cabinet on Thursday evening and the full cabinet is expected to do the same on Friday. One of the most notable elements is the first operational deployment of the MQ-9B Skyguardian drone over the Mediterranean.
The Belgian military also intends to intensify support for partner countries in Africa, particularly in the Sahel and the Great Lakes regions. The plan pays special attention to our country’s strategic interests in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Benin.
Europe’s southern border
The emphasis on Europe’s southern border is in line with the Federal Government’s broader security concerns. Mr Francken told parliament that “The threat doesn’t stop at Europe’s borders. What happens in North Africa, the Sahel or the Middle East has a direct impact on illegal migration flows to our own country. That’s why we’re focusing on stability, countering extremism, and, above all, stemming the illegal migration flows that threaten our security.”
Meanwhile, Belgium’s top priority internationally remains the reinforcement of NATO’s eastern flank. This has been the same ever since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine almost four years ago. In this context, Belgium will conduct two Air Policing missions with F-16s fighter jets next year. In the past they was typically one mission.
Next year two detachments of four F-16s and around 100 military personnel will be dispatched. While one mission will be based in Iceland, the other mission will have either Lithuania or Poland as its base.