Belgium has launched a €50 million urgent counter-drone acquisition program that includes purchasing Blaze interceptor drones from Latvia’s Origin Robotics after multiple unauthorised drone incursions over airports, nuclear facilities, and military sites. The contract was signed in Riga on November 18, 2025, during Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken's visit, with immediate drone deliveries planned and a longer-term €500 million anti-drone program underway. Belgium experienced coordinated drone incursions over Brussels and Liège airports, Doel Nuclear Power Plant, and Kleine Brogel Air Base, including large drones flying in formation undeterred by existing jamming systems. The incidents forced Belgium to request counter-UAS aid from Germany, France, and the UK. The Blaze interceptor uses radar, AI-powered computer vision, and electro-optical/infrared sensors to autonomously detect, lock onto, and neutralize fast-moving drones and loitering munitions. Weighing under 6 kg with an 800-gram warhead, the single-use drone offers about 20 minutes of flight range up to 10–20 km and can engage targets up to 220 km/h. Safety mechanisms and operator-controlled engagement reduce risks. The government attributes the drone activity to systemic hybrid threat actors, noting Belgium's hosting of NATO and EU institutions and frozen Russian assets as potential factors. Origin Robotics plans mass production starting December 2025 with marketing focused on Baltic states, NATO members, and European partners. This initiative strengthens Belgium’s short-term resilience against drone threats while broader surveillance and jamming upgrades are being finalized.

Belgium has launched a €50 million urgent counter-drone acquisition program that includes purchasing Blaze interceptor drones from Latvia’s Origin Robotics after multiple unauthorised drone incursions over airports, nuclear facilities, and military sites. The contract was signed in Riga on November 18, 2025, during Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken's visit, with immediate drone deliveries planned and a longer-term €500 million anti-drone program underway. Belgium experienced coordinated drone incursions over Brussels and Liège airports, Doel Nuclear Power Plant, and Kleine Brogel Air Base, including large drones flying in formation undeterred by existing jamming systems. The incidents forced Belgium to request counter-UAS aid from Germany, France, and the UK. The Blaze interceptor uses radar, AI-powered computer vision, and electro-optical/infrared sensors to autonomously detect, lock onto, and neutralize fast-moving drones and loitering munitions. Weighing under 6 kg with an 800-gram warhead, the single-use drone offers about 20 minutes of flight range up to 10–20 km and can engage targets up to 220 km/h. Safety mechanisms and operator-controlled engagement reduce risks. The government attributes the drone activity to systemic hybrid threat actors, noting Belgium's hosting of NATO and EU institutions and frozen Russian assets as potential factors. Origin Robotics plans mass production starting December 2025 with marketing focused on Baltic states, NATO members, and European partners. This initiative strengthens Belgium’s short-term resilience against drone threats while broader surveillance and jamming upgrades are being finalized.