Belgian Air Component replenishes Mk 84 bombs stock

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World Defense & Security News - Belgium
 
 
Belgian Air Component replenishes Mk 84 bombs stock
 
By Nathan Gain

The Belgian Ministry of Defense recently ordered a batch of 80 Mk 84 2,000 lbs general purpose bomb along with 160 suspension lugs, 80 Steel Nose Plugs et 80 Cup Nose Supports, the Europe's "Tenders electronic daily" platform unveiled on Oct. 20, 2017.
     
Belgian Air Component replenishes Mk 84 bombs stock 640 001A Belgian Air Force F-16A Fighting Falcon departs after receiving fuel from a 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker in support of Operation Inherent Resolve June 23, 2017. (Credit: U.S. Air Force/Staff Sgt. Michael Battles)
     
The announcement, published by the Belgian MoD Directorate General Material Resources, didn't detail any amount.

This contract has been awarded on Oct. 12 to the Spanish defense contractor Expal Systems, which develops, manufactures a wide range of aviation bombs, such as American MK 80 series bombs.

Belgium currently deploys six F-16AM fighter jets in Jordan to support the fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria from Jordan’s Azraq Airbase. They recently reached 8,000 flight hours within operation Desert Falcon (ODF) mission.

The Mark 84, also called BLU-117, is a general-purpose bomb, and the largest of the Mark 80 series of weapons. It notably serves as the warhead of a variety of precision-guided munitions, including the GBU-10/GBU-24/GBU-27 Paveway laser-guided bombs.