Belgium conducted the first flight of its MQ-9B SkyGuardian remotely piloted aircraft on Tuesday at Florennes Air Base, marking a key milestone in the country’s defense modernization program. The aircraft, the first of four on order, arrived in August.
“This event ushers in a new era of information dominance for Belgium,” said Linden Blue, CEO of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., who described the MQ-9B as a high-endurance intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform.
The milestone follows months of testing in California and training for 18 Belgian Air Force personnel in the United States. In July 2024, the U.S. Air Force awarded GA-ASI a $48.5 million contract to provide sustainment and support for Belgium’s fleet.
Maj. Gen. Geert De Decker, commander of the Belgian Air Component, called the flight a turning point. “With the MQ-9B SkyGuardian, Belgium enters a new era of ISR capability,” he said, emphasizing the collaboration with GA-ASI.
Belgium is the second European country, after the United Kingdom, to field the MQ-9B. Other customers include Canada, Denmark, Poland, Japan, Taiwan, India and the United States. The MQ-9B, which has received certification for unrestricted operations in civil airspace in the U.K., is designed for global missions and has been integrated into allied exercises worldwide.
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