Belgium is making strides in its defense capabilities by establishing a sovereign counter-drone program through a collaboration with US-based firm Anduril and local companies COBBS BELUX and Nokia Belgium. This joint consortium aims to address the escalating threat posed by unauthorized drones in sensitive areas across the country.
Anduril has carved a niche in software-defined defense and autonomous systems, offering a range of products under its counter-uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS) portfolio. Key components include the Anvil kinetic interceptor and the Roadrunner autonomous air vehicle, alongside advanced sensors like the Pulsar to identify and mitigate drone-related threats.
COBBS BELUX plays a crucial role in the consortium by marketing and distributing defense material for military and security agencies across Europe, while Nokia Belgium contributes its expertise in communications infrastructure, software, and network technologies. Combined, their efforts aim to develop domestically designed and operated C-UAS capabilities that will safeguard Belgium’s military installations and critical infrastructure.
The proposed solution features a modular and scalable software-first system, equipped with a command-and-control intelligence layer functioning as the system’s central brain. This technology harnesses data from various sources—including radar, optical, RF, and acoustic sensors—to create a comprehensive, real-time operational picture with autonomous classification capabilities. This allows a single operator to manage multiple counter-drone systems simultaneously, while retaining control over critical decision-making processes.
Belgium has faced several unauthorized drone incidents in restricted areas since last year, highlighting the need for enhanced counter-drone capabilities. With current capabilities being limited, Belgian soldiers have been authorized to take down suspicious drones, provided that such actions do not result in collateral damage.
In response to these challenges, the Belgian government is exploring various counter-UAS solutions. Notably, the collaboration between Belgian arms manufacturer FN Herstal and German firm HENSOLDT is also in the works, further reflecting the urgency in addressing this security issue alongside the Anduril-COBBS-Nokia consortium efforts.
Nathan Stenson, Nokia Defense Head of Go-to-Market, emphasized the importance of co-innovation, stating, “By co-innovating with our partners, we can accelerate the development of new capabilities that meet the speed and complexity of today’s threat challenges. Our goal is to ensure defense forces have resilient, mission-ready communications that support both national and European security.” This collaboration signals a proactive approach in fortifying Belgium’s defense infrastructure against emerging aerial threats.
