This is a list of the equipment used by the Belgian Land Component.
Name | Images | Origin | Type | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Camouflage pattern | ||||
Jigsaw camouflage | Belgium | Military camouflage pattern | Standard camouflage of the Belgian Armed Forces. Being replaced from November 2022 by Multicam in G4 clothing style. [1] | |
MultiCam | United States | Military camouflage pattern | From the end of 2022, all components of the Belgian Armed Forces will start adopting MultiCam as standard issue, except for the Naval Component. [2] | |
Combat helmet | ||||
Future Assault Shell Technology helmet | United States | Combat helmet | In use by the Belgian Armed Forces. | |
Gefechtshelm Schuberth B826 | Germany | Combat helmet | Used by the Belgian Armed Forces. Issued in 1995. Replaced by FAST helmet. [3] | |
Hazmat | ||||
Joint Service General Purpose Mask M-50/M-51 | United States | Protective mask | Adopted by the Belgian Army [4] | |
Field uniforms | ||||
G4 Combat Gear | Belgium United States | Field uniforms | The SSC Consortium (Sioen, Seyntex, Crye Precision™) has been chosen to roll out the “Belgian Defense Clothing System” (B.D.C.S.) to the Belgian Army. Over the next 15 years, SSC will equip our military with new operational clothing and accessories for a total budget of 410 million euros. [5] | |
Night Vision | ||||
XACT NV3X | Germany | Night vision | [6] |
Weapon | Images | Origin | Type | Caliber | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Handguns | |||||
FN Five-seven mk2 | Belgium | Semi-automatic pistol | FN 5.7×28mm NATO | Standard issue sidearm, ordered in 2014 in replacement of the Browning GP. [7] Initial contract for 12,065 pistols | |
Glock 17 | Austria | Semi-automatic pistol | 9×19mm Parabellum | Used by the SOBU (Special Operations Boat Unit) and DAS (Détachement d’Agents de Sécurité). | |
Submachine guns | |||||
FN P90 | Belgium | Personal defence weapon | FN 5.7×28mm NATO | Personal defence weapon used by medical component personnel and SFG - Special Operations Boat Unit. Initial contract in 2014 for 865 P90. [8] | |
MP9-N | Switzerland | Submachine gun | 9×19mm Parabellum | Used by DAS (Détachement d’Agents de Sécurité) | |
Rifles | |||||
FN F2000 | Belgium | Bullpup assault rifle | 5.56×45mm NATO | Used by SOR Pathfinders in limited quantities to serve alongside the FN SCAR | |
FN SCAR-L CQC MK2 | Belgium | Assault rifle | 5.56×45mm NATO | Standard service rifle of the Belgian special forces group. Will be adopted as the standard service rifle of the para & commando battalions | |
FN SCAR-L STD MK2 | Belgium | Assault rifle | 5.56×45mm NATO | SCAR-L MK2 in use as the new standard service rifle for all combat units. Older SCAR-L MK1 are transferred to support units to replace the FN FNC. | |
FN SCAR-H CQC | Belgium | Battle rifle | 7.62×51mm NATO | 63 SCAR-H CQC ordered for special forces combat divers | |
Precision rifles | |||||
FN SCAR-H PR | Belgium | Designated marksman rifle | 7.62×51mm NATO | 287 SCAR-H PR rifles on order to replace the AW between 2015 and 2017 | |
Accuracy International Arctic Warfare | United Kingdom | Bolt action sniper rifle | 7.62×51mm NATO | Almost completely replaced by a combination of SCAR-H PR, AXMC, and M107A1 | |
Accuracy International AXMC | United Kingdom | Bolt action sniper rifle | 8.6×70mm | ||
Barrett M107A1 | United States | Anti materiel sniper rifle | 12.7×99mm NATO | 59 delivered by the end of 2014 | |
Machine guns | |||||
FN Minimi 5.56 Mk3 Tactical SB | Belgium | Light machine gun | 5.56×45mm NATO | Standard issue LMG. Currently being updated to 'Mk3 Tactical SB' standards, featuring a shorter barrel, adjustable buttstock with shoulder rest, ergonomic railed handguard, new bipod assembly and cocking handle. | |
FN Minimi 7.62 Mk3 | Belgium | Light machine gun | 7.62×51mm NATO | The Belgian government signed a 2 million euro contract to replace all man portable MAG's with 242 Minimi's chambered in 7.62×51mm. | |
FN MAG | Belgium | General-purpose machine gun | 7.62×51mm NATO | Standard general-purpose machine gun. To be replaced with 242 7.62×51mm chambered Minimi's. Stay in use only as vehicle mounted machine gun. | |
M2HB QCB | United States | Heavy machine gun | 12.7×99mm NATO | Standard issue heavy machine gun | |
Shotguns | |||||
Remington Model 870 | United States | Pump action shotgun | 12 gauge | In service since 2008 [9] | |
Benelli M4 | Italy | Semi-automatic combat shotgun | 12-gauge | Adopted on November 17, 2023, for counter-UAS operations by the Belgian Air Force. [10] | |
Grenade launchers | |||||
GL-1 | Belgium | Under barrel grenade launcher | 40×46mm LV | Used by regular infantry and Paracommandos, mounted under FN F2000 rifles on a squad based level. Almost completely replaced by the FN40GL | |
FN40GL | Belgium | Under barrel grenade launcher | 40×46mm LV | Used by special forces mounted under FN SCAR rifles. 507 on order to replace the F2000 on a squad based level | |
Heckler & Koch GMG | Germany | Automatic grenade launcher | 40×53mm HV | Mounted on the army's Jankel FOX Rapid Reaction Vehicles [11] | |
Grenades | |||||
Mecar M72 HE | Belgium | Hand grenade | NA | Fragmentation hand grenade | |
M18 | United States | Smoke Grenade | NA | Smoke hand grenade | |
Miscellaneous | |||||
HAFLA | Germany | Hand-held flame-cartridge | NA | Single-shot, disposable incendiary weapon |
Weapon | Images | Origin | Type | Caliber | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Unguided anti-tank / material weapons | |||||
M72 LAW | Norway | Light rocket launcher | 66 mm | Standard short-range AT weapon on a squad based level. | |
RGW 90 HH | Germany | Recoilless guns | 90 mm | Supplements the M72 LAW as the medium-range AT weapon on a squad based level. [12] Orders: | |
Anti tank guided missiles | |||||
Spike-MR | Israel Germany | ATGM | 130 mm | 66 anti-tank missile systems are currently in use. Replaced the army's older MILAN ATGM. [18] Will be replaced by the french Akeron MP. Will remain in service until 2030. [19] | |
Land mines | |||||
M6A2 Mine | — | United States | Anti-tank Landmine | NA | Anti-tank mine |
Name | Images | Origin | Type | Caliiber | Number | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mortars | ||||||
Expal M-08 | Spain | Light infantry mortar | 60 mm | 69 purchased in 2011 | ||
M1 Mortar | United States | Mortar | 81 mm | About 42 in use [20] | ||
120 RT Mortar | France | Heavy mortar | 120 mm | About 30 in use [20] | Will be replaced by the Griffon MEPAC [21] | |
Artillery | ||||||
LG1 Mark II Howitzer | France | Towed howitzer | 105 mm | 8-14 in active use | ||
25-pounder | United Kingdom | Field gun | 25-pounder Howitzer | Unknown | Only used for ceremonial gun salutes. [22] |
Name | Images | Origin | Type | Number | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Armoured personnel carriers | |||||
Pandur I | Austria Belgium | Armoured personnel carrier | 59 [23] | 44 vehicles went through a mid-life update to extend the service-life until 2035, the vehicle received a ballistic armour upgrade, mine protection, Slat armour, a 12.7mm remote weapon station and an engine upgrade.
Between 1996 and 1998, 60 examples were built under license in Belgium. | |
Infantry mobility vehicle | |||||
ATF Dingo 2 MPPV | Germany | Infantry mobility vehicle | 218 [23] | Will be replaced by the VBMR Griffon from 2025. [26] 2 vehicles destroyed by IED in Mali in 2019
| |
LMV 'Lynx' | Italy | Infantry mobility vehicle | ~80 [27] | ~360 sent to Ukraine. [27] | |
Oshkosh CLV 'Falcon' | United States | Infantry mobility vehicle / Mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle | +5 of 322 delivered | 322 vehicles ordered to replace the Iveco LMV as the new command and liaison vehicle. Will be named CLV 'Falcon' in Belgian service. First deliveries will arrive in 2023 until 2024. The first units were delivered in January 2024 and are now in use with the IStar Battalion. [28]
| |
Armoured fighting vehicle | |||||
Piranha IIIC | Switzerland | Armoured personnel carrier | +-99 | Will be replaced by the VBMR Griffon from 2025 [26] Belgium converted to an all-wheeled force, and replaced their Leopard 1s with 242 Piranha IIIC in 7 variants.(138 vehicles from first fixed batch delivered,second and final batch cancelled) Initial contract in 2006 for 3 batches included: These numbers include the second cancelled batch: | |
Direct fire support DF90 | 18 | ||||
Direct fire support DF30 | +-32 | ||||
Military engineering vehicle | +- 18 | ||||
Armoured recovery vehicle | +- 17 | ||||
Armoured Ambulance | +- 12 | ||||
Armoured command post | +- 24 |
Name | Images | Origin | Type | Number | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Special operations regiment | |||||
Jankel FOX RRV | United Kingdom | Light rapid response vehicle - SOF | 108 | The RRV is based on the Toyota Land Cruiser, for use by the Specials Forces, includes a removable armour kit to increase ballistic and mine protection. The vehicles will be fitted with a 360° ring mount which can be armed with a 12.7mm machine gun or an automatic grenade launcher. [31] | |
Jankel WOLF LTTV | United Kingdom | Light troop transport vehicle - SOF | 80 of 199 delivered | 199 vehicles ordered the replace the aging Unimog JACAM and Unimog 1350l of the SFG and Paracommando units. The LTTV is based on the Unimog U5000 platform. Will feature removable mission modules that enable the vehicle to be re-rolled for operational platform versatility. Alongside a fully integrated suite of military sub-systems that includes a removable ballistic protection kit, a Roll-Over-Protection-System (ROPS), weapon mounts and communications fit. Completion of the order is uncertain due bankruptcy Jankel Armoured Ltd [32]
| |
Achtleiner Toyota Landcruiser 200 | (illustration) | Austria Japan | Civil armoured vehicles | 42 | [33] |
Name | Images | Origin | Type | Number | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Armoured recovery | |||||
Soframe HRV | France | Armoured recovery vehicle | 8 of 15 Taurus delivered 0 of 13 Aurus delivered | 28 vehicles ordered. Will be armed with FN DeFNder light RWS armed with a 7.62mm machine gun
| |
Renault Kerax | France | Tow truck | 27 | In service since 2001 | |
Armoured combat engineer vehicle | |||||
JCB HMEE | United Kingdom | military engineering vehicle | ~4 | First vehicles arrived in 2022. | |
Bridge layers | |||||
Leguan | Germany | armoured vehicle-launched bridge | Unknown | Originally 9, currently unknown. Still in use in 2021 by the 11th Engineer Battalion (Belgium) [36] [37] |
Name | Images | Origin | Type | Number | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Unimog 1.9T | West Germany Germany | Light truck | 61 | Will be replaced with the Volvo N10 by the new DAF 4x4 and 8x8 from 2022.
| |
Mercedes-Benz Actros | Germany | Transport truck | 60 | In service since 2002 | |
Iveco M250 | Italy | Medium heavy truck | 400 | 350 with optional removable ballistic protection kits. Will be replaced by the DAF 8x8. | |
Iveco ALC 8x4 | Italy | Autonomous load carrier | 149 | In service since 2004. Will be replaced by the DAF 8x8 hooklift | |
DAF CF Military 4x4 | Czech Republic Netherlands | Light truck | 150 of 636 delivered | 636 vehicles ordered. Tatra chassis & armoured cabs (352) (Czech Republic); Paccar MX-11 engine (United States); DAF Trucks unarmoured cabs (Belgium). [38] Will replace the Volvo N10 6x6 and the Mercedes Unimog 4x4. | |
DAF CF 8x8 | Czech Republic Netherlands | Heavy truck | 0 of 243 delivered | 243 vehicles ordered. Tatra chassis & armoured cabs (352) (Czech Republic); Paccar MX-13 engine (United States); DAF Trucks unarmoured cabs (Belgium). [38] Will replace the Iveco M250 and the Iveco ALC 8x4 | |
DAF CF 8x8 tractor | Czech Republic Netherlands | Heavy transport | 0 of 9 delivered | 9 vehicles ordered. TATRA Defense Systems will produce the chassis in Czech Republic and DAF will produce non-armored cabins in Westerlo. This a 8x8 heavy transport truck with 460HP. 9 Broshuis 2-axle low-loader are including the order. Will replace the Scania T144. Will be delivered in 2024. [39] | |
Volvo N10 | Sweden | Medium heavy truck | Unknown | Will replaced by the DAF 4x4 and 8x8 from 2022. 240 Volvo Fassi N10 Trucks plegded to Ukraine. [40] | |
Scania T144 | Sweden | Heavy transport | 26 | In service since 2002. Will be replaced by the DAF Heavy Transport 8x8 from 2024 |
Name | Images | Origin | Type | Number | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Groundhog | United Kingdom | Terrain vehicle [41] | 38 | In service since 2009 | |
M-Gator | United States | Light utility vehicle | Unknown | Used for medical evacuation | |
Unmanned ground vehicles | |||||
Integrated Unmanned Ground System | Estonia | Unmanned ground vehicle | Unknown | THeMIS that will be used as basis for the iMUGS. | |
Utility vehicles | |||||
Kia Sportage | South Korea | SUV | 132 | The Ford Ranger XLT and the Volkswagen Tiguan Life are the new 4x4 vehicles for Defense. They replace the current 4x4 fleet of 132 KIA Sportage and 50 Volkswagen Amarok vehicles. [44] | |
Volkswagen Amarok | Germany | Pick-up | 50 | The Ford Ranger XLT and the Volkswagen Tiguan Life are the new 4x4 vehicles for Defense. They replace the current 4x4 fleet of 132 KIA Sportage and 50 Volkswagen Amarok vehicles. [44] | |
Volkswagen Transporter (T6) | Germany | Van | Unknown | Still in use in 2018 with the MP. |
name | Images | Origin | Type | Number | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven | United States | UAV | 32 | Acquired in 2017. [45] | |
AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma | United States | Remote controlled UAS | Unknown | Leased from the USA. [46] | |
Boeing Insitu RQ-21 Blackjack | United States | Unmanned air vehicle | 2 | 2 systems ordered in December 2020. [47] |
Name | Images | Origin | Type | Number | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thames Squire/ | Netherlands | Ground Surveillance Radar | 9-20 | Used by Jagers te Paard Battalion [48] [49] |
Model | Images | Origin | Type | Quantity ordered | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Infantry equipment | |||||
FN EVOLYS | Ultra-light machine gun | 20 | For evaluation [50] | ||
Akeron MP | Anti-tank Guided Missile | — | Will equip the Jaguar EBRC, the spike will remain in service until 2030. | ||
Vehicles | |||||
EBRC Jaguar | Armoured fighting vehicle | 60 | 60 vehicles ordered to replace the Piranha DF30 & DF90. Deliveries are planned to commence in 2025. 2 battalions will use the Jaguar. | ||
VBMR Griffon | Armoured personnel carrier | 382 | 382 ordered to replace the Piranha and Dingo 2. [52] The vehicle will be delivered in various versions: [53]
| ||
Self-propelled artillery | |||||
CAESAR NG | Self-propelled artillery | 28 | According to information released by the Belgian Ministry of Defense on October 29, 2021, a 27 million euro contract has been signed for the delivery of 9 systems CAESAR NG (New Generation) from the French company Nexter in 2027 to increase their artillery capabilities. On June 30, 2022, it was decided that 19 more systems will be ordered after 2027. Order confirmed by council of Ministers December 8, 2023. [54] Comprising 24 operational units and 4 units designated for military training. [55] 2 batteries in Brasschaat, 1 battery in Marche-en-Famenne. A battery consists of 8 pieces. [56] | ||
Griffon MEPAC | Mortar Carrier | 24 | On June 30, 2022, It was decided that two batteries with eight vehicles will be ordered to support the four infantry battalions. Will replace the 120 mm mortar [21] Order confirmed by council of Ministers December 8, 2023. [54] | ||
Air defence | |||||
Mistral-3 | MANPAD | — | Together with Estonia, Cyprus, France & Hungary, Belgium signed a cooperation agreement to jointly procure Mistral short-range air defence missile systems. [57] Combine order of >1,000 missiles. | ||
Miscellaneous | |||||
Multifunctional fire trucks from the company Fire Technics | Belgium | Truck | 0 of 5 | In addition to firefighting, the vehicles also support demining exercises, shooting drills, and the testing of new weapons. [58] | |
Ford Ranger | Australia Argentina Mexico | Pick-ups | 0 of 99 Delivered | The Ford Ranger XLT and the Volkswagen Tiguan Life are the new 4x4 vehicles for Defense. They replace the current 4x4 fleet of 132 KIA Sportage and 50 Volkswagen Amarok vehicles. [44] | |
Volkswagen Tiguan | Germany People's Republic of China Vietnam | SUV | 0 of +77 Delivered |
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