On March 10, on the proposal of the Belgian Minister of Defense Ludivine Dedonder, the Council of Ministers gave the green light to launch the procedure for the acquisition of 15 "light utility" helicopters through the central purchasing office of the NATO, as well as the purchase of 5 additional helicopters for the Federal Police. This is an important step towards the replacement of part of the Defense helicopter fleet, as part of Minister Ludivine Dedonder's STAR plan.
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Considered as the reference in its civil version for law enforcement organizations and military services, the H145 is in service with the US Army, which operates its UH-72A Lakota version (Picture source: Airbus)
The purchase of 15 light helicopters (LUH) amounting to EUR 250Mn will replace the recent NH90s and old Agusta A109s. This is one of the important files of the STAR plan (Security, Service, Technology, Ambition and Resilience) of the Minister of Defense Ludivine Dedonder. Thanks to this purchase, Defense will have in the years to come a high-performance tactical air transport capacity for Special Operations and a medical evacuation capacity by air. With the decision of the Council of Ministers, the procedure can now be launched for the acquisition of the helicopters and the associated support contract. The first devices should be delivered in 2026.
Local and dual
As prescribed by Minister Dedonder's STAR plan, opportunities for local cooperation and dual deployment are important factors in the purchase of new major defense equipment. As part of the purchase of the new LUH, possible collaborations with European and or international partners, the way in which Belgian industry will be involved as well as the use of the LUH for other missions in the event of a crisis are taken into account. account. The new helicopters should be able to be deployed in support of other Defense units, for Aid to the Nation, for humanitarian missions or, for example, to protect our own airspace during NATO or the EU. However the winner of the competition is naturally known yet, the Airbus H145M, already selected by Luxembourg, appears as the favorite machine. Considered as the reference in its civil version for law enforcement organizations and military services, the H145 is in service with the US Army, which operates its UH-72A Lakota version.
There is an additional dimension of national cooperation with this purchasing program. In addition to the 15 helicopters for Defense, 5 additional helicopters will be purchased to replace the Federal Police helicopter fleet. Working with the same devices allows for more in-depth cooperation in terms of technical support, training and the execution of certain missions between the Defense and the Federal Police.
Procedure via the NSPA (NATO Purchasing Center)
With the approval of the Council of Ministers, the procedure for awarding contracts via the NATO Procurement Center can now be launched. This working method via the NSPA (NATO Support and Procurement Agency) makes it possible to carry out the procurement file quickly and efficiently under good conditions. NSPA will now initiate a procurement procedure on behalf of Belgium for the helicopters and associated support contract for an initial period of five years.
Ludivine Dedonder, Minister of Defence: “The STAR plan continues to materialize today with the purchase of fifteen new helicopters for our Defence. The Defense will continue to execute the STAR plan in order to continue its reconstruction and ensure its missions both abroad and in Belgium. The collaboration with the Federal Police, which will also be equipped with five similar helicopters, allows optimal interoperability between these two departments responsible for security. »
Annelies Verlinden, Minister of the Interior: “Federal Police helicopters allow ground teams to have a better view of the situation. Some 1,500 times a year, aerial support is offered to both Local Police areas and other Federal Police services, among other things to locate and pursue suspects, take aerial photos and search for missing persons. I am therefore delighted that the federal government has given its agreement in principle to the purchase of five new helicopters intended to replace the current fleet. Our police indeed deserve modern equipment, including helicopters. »
