The Port of Antwerp-Bruges is set to receive its own air defence system by 2027, marking a significant step in strengthening security at one of Europe’s

most strategic economic hubs.

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever confirmed that the government has ordered a first NASAMS air defence battery, with delivery expected within the next two years. Speaking to Gazet van Antwerpen, De Wever said the system would be capable of shielding nearly two-thirds of the vast port area. Authorities have declined to disclose the exact deployment location, citing security concerns.

NASAMS, a Norwegian-American air defence system, is designed to detect and intercept aircraft and cruise missiles. A single battery typically combines radar units to identify incoming threats, multiple missile launchers, and a central command system to coordinate responses in real time.

The initial installation is only the first phase of a broader plan. According to De Wever, additional batteries are expected in the coming years. With a second unit, authorities aim to extend coverage to the entire port complex as well as nearby strategic infrastructure, including nuclear power plants.

Defence specialists caution, however, that NASAMS is not a catch-all solution. The system is unable to counter ballistic missiles, which require heavier air defence platforms, and it offers limited effectiveness against drones flying at extremely low altitudes.

Alongside the air defence battery, the government has also ordered a dedicated anti-drone system. The move follows repeated warnings from port authorities, who last year reported dozens of unidentified drones operating above sensitive areas such as chemical installations and cargo terminals.

Together, the measures underline growing concerns over aerial threats and espionage, as Belgium moves to reinforce the protection of infrastructure that is vital not only to the national economy, but to European trade as a whole. Photo by Wwuyts, Wikimedia commons.