The United States has approved Belgium’s acquisition of hundreds of AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles at a cost of €280 million, significantly lower than earlier estimates of €480 million, officials confirmed Monday.
The Pentagon announced that the U.S. State Department had granted approval for the sale. While initial figures suggested Belgium would spend $567.8 million (approximately €480 million), Defence Ministry spokesperson Jan Van Camp clarified that the actual contract amounts to €280 million. He explained the discrepancy as the result of a U.S. export licensing procedure.
Before finalizing arms sales, Washington must seek Congressional approval for a maximum dollar amount that often exceeds the final cost. To account for potential changes requested by the buyer, the U.S. government typically raises the ceiling by 30 to 50 percent. This mechanism led to the €200 million difference between the approved value and Belgium’s actual payment.
The missile purchase forms part of Belgium’s Ammunition Readiness Plan 2025, a multi-year programme adopted by the Cabinet in July to address past shortages and rebuild ammunition stockpiles.
Delivery timelines for the missiles remain uncertain, as global conflicts and rising demand for military hardware continue to cause delays in supply chains, Belgian officials noted.