As announced last June, the Belgian Air Component (Air Force) has withdrawn from service its last Israeli-built B-Hunter UAVs. On 28 August 2020, a small ceremony took place at Florennes Air Base to commemorate this event and to thank the 80 Sqn for the many years of dedication, Aviation 24 reports.

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Water canon salute after the Hunter-B's last flight that took place from Florennes Air Base (Picture source: Belgian Air Component)

The ceremony, which included a water cannon salute as performed for « actual » aircraft, was held in the presence of Major General Frederik, Vansina, Commander of the Belgian Air Component, about to become Vice-Chief of Staff in charge of Strategy (ACOS Strat) and, hence, replaced by Major General Thierry Dupont.

The 80 Sqn was formerly an artillery observation unit (80 Battery), before being transferred into the Air Force.

The current B-Hunter has low availability and no longer meets the standards and requirements of current operational theatres. Its early decommissioning will allow personnel to optimally prepare for the planned deployment in 2023 of the General Atomics MQ-9B SkyGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft and to strengthen other weapon systems.

General Atomics MQ-9B SkyGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft (Picture source: GA-ASI)