Belgium plans to create another artillery battalion in its armed forces. This will include purchasing additional self-propelled artillery, as well as new assets such as drones and several multiple launch rocket systems.
A Belgian army officer told Janes about this at the BEDEX 2026 arms exhibition. He added that although the country has already ordered 28 CAESAR Mk2 NG SPGs with deliveries starting in 2028, the second battalion will not necessarily be armed with the same system.
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It is also noted that artillery units will be armed with loitering munitions, while mortar units with MEPAC will receive FPV drones. As for MLRS, Belgium will choose the same as France thanks to cooperation under the CaMo program.
From Defense Express, we note that most likely loitering munitions for Belgian artillerymen meant something like the Ukrainian Bulava and RAM-2X, or the russian Lancet. This will provide another means for engaging targets at considerable distance.
Despite statements that the same SPGs will not necessarily be purchased, CAESAR still looks like the most practical option in the 155mm systems segment due to affordability and speed of delivery. Among other European alternatives, one can mention German RCH 155, which has both wheeled and tracked variants.
The desire to obtain MLRS is understandable, especially when looking at Ukraine's successes with HIMARS. However, an interesting situation emerges here, because France, with which Belgium will jointly choose, is currently betting on its own independent solution. And so far there are several proposals competing for the contract.
Most recently, Thales and ArianeGroup showed their developments, including their own launcher. Earlier, Thundart from MBDA and Safran was presented, as well as Foudre from Turgis Gaillard.
An intermediate solution variant is also being considered, which could be South Korean K239 Chunmoo, or even Indian Pinaka. And in case of such a choice, it will quite likely extend to Belgium as well.
Recall that the Belgians are actively purchasing French armored vehicles under the CaMo program, which includes Serval armored vehicles, Griffon APCs and Jaguar reconnaissance vehicles. And now Luxembourg is joining the project.
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