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Belgium is to launch dozens of satellites to have its own satellite imagery available for defence purposes. Minister of Defence Theo Francken (N-VA) has announced the project, which involves an investment of over 200 million euros. Until now, Belgium sourced this type of imagery largely from allies.
The move fits into a broader trend among European countries to reduce their dependence on third parties in the military-technological domain. The Netherlands led the way: that country has had its own defence satellites operational since 2024.
The plan involves a fleet of dozens of small satellites capable of imaging the Earth's surface for military reconnaissance and situational awareness. By building its own constellation, Defence can independently decide when and where images are captured, without depending on the priorities or availability of foreign systems.
The Belgian air force coordinates space operations through the Space Security Centre. This centre monitors the space environment and supports the operational use of satellite data within Defence. The new constellation will substantially expand the centre's remit.
Based on available sources, Defence has not yet disclosed further details regarding the exact technical specifications of the satellites, their intended orbit, or the planned launch date.
Over 200 million euros is a considerable sum for a country with Belgium's defence budget, which has been under pressure in recent years to raise its NATO contribution towards two percent of GDP. Since taking office, Francken has announced several major investment plans as part of a broader modernisation of the armed forces.
Within NATO, satellite capability is regarded as an 'enabler': systems that make other military operations possible, from communications and navigation to target identification and battle damage assessment. Countries that possess such capability themselves need to negotiate less for access to allied imagery, and can operate more quickly and with greater confidentiality.
The Netherlands took a comparable step in 2024, when it, as a relatively small NATO member state, brought its own military observation satellites into service. The Dutch programme, carried out in collaboration with industry, is regarded within Europe as an example of a medium-sized country building strategic autonomy in the field of space for defence.
Belgium is now following a similar path. Whether the two countries are cooperating on shared infrastructure, joint launches, or data sharing has not been confirmed based on available information.
The Belgian announcement underscores a trend that is also relevant to the Dutch and broader European tech and startup world. Government investments in space technology for defence create demand for specialised software, image analysis, and artificial intelligence for processing large volumes of satellite data. Companies active in earth observation, geospatial analysis, or defence AI, including various European startups and scale-ups operating at that intersection, may come into consideration as suppliers or technology partners for programmes of this kind. For investors and policymakers, the Belgian move confirms that space for defence is a structurally growing segment within the broader European security and technology policy landscape.
This article draws in part on the following sources.
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