List of equipment of the Belgian Land Component

This is a list of the equipment used by the Belgian Land Component.

Current equipment

Individual equipment

Name Images Origin Type Notes
Camouflage pattern
Jigsaw camouflage  Belgium Military camouflage pattern Standard camouflage of the Belgian Armed Forces. Being replaced from November 2022 by Multicam in G4 clothing style.
MultiCam  United States Military camouflage pattern the end of 2022, all components of the Belgian Armed Forces will start adopting MultiCam as standard issue, except for the Naval Component.
Combat helmet
Future Assault Shell Technology helmet  United States Combat helmet In use by the Belgian Armed Forces.
Gefechtshelm Schuberth B826  Germany Combat helmet Used by the Belgian Armed Forces. Issued in 1995. Replaced by FAST helmet.
Hazmat
Joint Service General Purpose Mask M-50/M-51  United States Protective mask Adopted by the Belgian Army
Field uniforms
G4 Combat Gear  Belgium
 United States
Field uniforms The SSC Consortium (Sioen, Seyntex, Crye Precision™) has been chosen to roll out the “Belgian Defense Clothing System” (B.D.C.S.) to the Belgian Army. Over the next 15 years, SSC will equip our military with new operational clothing and accessories for a total budget of 410 million euros.
Night Vision
XACT NV3X  Germany Night vision

Small arms

Weapon Images Origin Type Caliber Notes
Handguns
FN Five-seven mk2  Belgium Semi-automatic pistol FN 5.7×28mm NATO Standard issue sidearm, ordered in 2014 in replacement of the Browning GP.

Initial contract for 12,065 pistols

Glock 17  Austria Semi-automatic pistol 9×19mm Parabellum Used by the SOBU (Special Operations Boat Unit) and DAS (Détachement d’Agents de Sécurité).
Submachine guns
FN P90  Belgium Personal defence weapon FN 5.7×28mm NATO Personal defence weapon used by medical component personnel and SFG - Special Operations Boat Unit.

Initial contract in 2014 for 865 P90.

MP9-N  Switzerland Submachine gun 9×19mm Parabellum Used by DAS (Détachement d’Agents de Sécurité)
Rifles
FN F2000  Belgium Bullpup assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO Used by SOR Pathfinders in limited quantities to serve alongside the FN SCAR
FN SCAR-L CQC MK2  Belgium Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO Standard service rifle of the Belgian special forces group.

Will be adopted as the standard service rifle of the para & commando battalions

FN SCAR-L STD MK2  Belgium Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO SCAR-L MK2 in use as the new standard service rifle for all combat units. Older SCAR-L MK1 are transferred to support units to replace the FN FNC.
FN SCAR-H CQC  Belgium Battle rifle 7.62×51mm NATO 63 SCAR-H CQC ordered for special forces combat divers
Precision rifles
FN SCAR-H PR  Belgium Designated marksman rifle 7.62×51mm NATO 287 SCAR-H PR rifles on order to replace the AW between 2015 and 2017
Accuracy International Arctic Warfare  United Kingdom Bolt action sniper rifle 7.62×51mm NATO Almost completely replaced by a combination of SCAR-H PR, AXMC, and M107A1
Accuracy International AXMC  United Kingdom Bolt action sniper rifle 8.6×70mm
Barrett M107A1  United States Anti materiel sniper rifle 12.7×99mm NATO 59 delivered by the end of 2014
Machine guns
FN Minimi 5.56 Mk3 Tactical SB  Belgium Light machine gun 5.56×45mm NATO Standard issue LMG. Currently being updated to 'Mk3 Tactical SB' standards, featuring a shorter barrel, adjustable buttstock with shoulder rest, ergonomic railed handguard, new bipod assembly and cocking handle.
FN Minimi 7.62 Mk3  Belgium Light machine gun 7.62×51mm NATO The Belgian government signed a 2 million euro contract to replace all man portable MAG's with 242 Minimi's chambered in 7.62×51mm.
FN MAG  Belgium General-purpose machine gun 7.62×51mm NATO Standard general-purpose machine gun. To be replaced with 242 7.62×51mm chambered Minimi's. Stay in use only as vehicle mounted machine gun.
M2HB QCB  United States Heavy machine gun 12.7×99mm NATO Standard issue heavy machine gun
Shotguns
Remington Model 870  United States Pump action shotgun 12 gauge In service since 2008
Benelli M4  Italy Semi-automatic combat shotgun 12-gauge Adopted on November 17, 2023, for counter-UAS operations by the Belgian Air Force.
Grenade launchers
GL-1  Belgium Under barrel grenade launcher 40×46mm LV Used by regular infantry and Paracommandos, mounted under FN F2000 rifles on a squad based level. Almost completely replaced by the FN40GL
FN40GL  Belgium Under barrel grenade launcher 40×46mm LV Used by special forces mounted under FN SCAR rifles. 507 on order to replace the F2000 on a squad based level
Heckler & Koch GMG  Germany Automatic grenade launcher 40×53mm HV Mounted on the army's Jankel FOX Rapid Reaction Vehicles
Grenades
Mecar M72 HE  Belgium Hand grenade NA Fragmentation hand grenade
M18  United States Smoke Grenade NA Smoke hand grenade
Miscellaneous
HAFLA  Germany Hand-held flame-cartridge NA Single-shot, disposable incendiary weapon

Anti-tank weapons

Weapon Images Origin Type Caliber Notes
Unguided anti-tank / material weapons
M72 LAW  Norway

 United States

Light rocket launcher 66 mm Standard short-range AT weapon on a squad based level.
RGW 90 HH  Germany Recoilless guns 90 mm Supplements the M72 LAW as the medium-range AT weapon on a squad based level. Orders:
  • 111 RGW90 AS in 2013
  • 509 RGW90 AS in 2016
  • 390 in 2018
  • 1450 delivered in 2020.
  • 4002 ordered in 2022
Anti tank guided missiles
Spike-MR  Israel
 Germany
ATGM 130 mm 66 anti-tank missile systems are currently in use. Replaced the army's older MILAN ATGM.

Will be replaced by the french Akeron MP. Will remain in service until 2030.

Land mines
M6A2 Mine  United States Anti-tank Landmine NA Anti-tank mine

Indirect fire

Name Images Origin Type Caliiber Number Notes
Mortars
Expal M-08  Spain Light infantry mortar 60 mm 69 purchased in 2011
M1 Mortar  United States Mortar 81 mm About 42 in use
120 RT Mortar  France Heavy mortar 120 mm About 30 in use Will be replaced by the Griffon MEPAC
Artillery
LG1 Mark II Howitzer  France Towed howitzer 105 mm 8-14 in active use
25-pounder  United Kingdom Field gun 25-pounder Howitzer Unknown Only used for ceremonial gun salutes.

Vehicles

Armoured combat vehicles

Name Images Origin Type Number Notes
Armoured personnel carriers
Pandur I  Austria Armoured personnel carrier 59 44 vehicles went through a mid-life update to extend the service-life until 2035, the vehicle received a ballistic armour upgrade, mine protection, Slat armour, a 12.7mm remote weapon station and an engine upgrade.
  • 45 reconnaissance variants
  • 10 ambulance variants
  • 4 maintenance variants

Between 1996 and 1998, 60 examples were built under license in Belgium.

Infantry mobility vehicle
ATF Dingo 2 MPPV  Germany Infantry mobility vehicle 218 Will be replaced by the VBMR Griffon from 2025.

2 vehicles destroyed by IED in Mali in 2019

  • 156 FUS variants for troop transport
  • 52 command post
  • 10 ambulance variants
LMV 'Lynx'  Italy Infantry mobility vehicle 359 Will be replaced by the Oshkosh L-ATV. 80 vehicles will remain in service.

80 pleged to Ukraine in 2023.

On 15/03/2024 green light was given by the Belgian goverment to send 300 more Lynx LMV to Ukraine.

Oshkosh CLV 'Falcon'  United States Infantry mobility vehicle / Mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle +5 of 322 delivered 322 vehicles ordered to replace the Iveco LMV as the new command and liaison vehicle.

Will be named CLV 'Falcon' in Belgian service. First deliveries will arrive in 2023 until 2024.

The first units were delivered in January 2024 and are now in use with the IStar Battalion.

  • 135 vehicles armed with FN DeFNder light RWS armed with a 7.62mm machine gun
  • 22 ambulance variants
Armoured fighting vehicle
Piranha IIIC  Switzerland Armoured personnel carrier +-99 Will be replaced by the VBMR Griffon from 2025

Belgium converted to an all-wheeled force, and replaced their Leopard 1s with 242 Piranha IIIC in 7 variants.(138 vehicles from first fixed batch delivered,second and final batch cancelled) Initial contract in 2006 for 3 batches included:

These numbers include the second cancelled batch:

  • 99 FUS APC
  • 32 DF30 fire support version with MK44 Bushmaster II in an ORCWS-30
  • 18 DF90 fire support version with a 90 mm cannon
  • 24 command post serving as a mobile command post
  • 17 repair and recovery variants
  • 18 engineer variants
  • 12 ambulances
Direct fire support DF90 18
Direct fire support DF30 +-32
Military engineering vehicle +- 18
Armoured recovery vehicle +- 17
Armoured Ambulance +- 12
Armoured command post +- 24

Special operation regiment

Name Images Origin Type Number Notes
Special operations regiment
Jankel FOX RRV  United Kingdom Light rapid response vehicle - SOF 108 The RRV is based on the Toyota Land Cruiser, for use by the Specials Forces, includes a removable armour kit to increase ballistic and mine protection. The vehicles will be fitted with a 360° ring mount which can be armed with a 12.7mm machine gun or an automatic grenade launcher.
Jankel WOLF LTTV

 United Kingdom Light troop transport vehicle - SOF 80 of 199 delivered 199 vehicles ordered the replace the aging Unimog JACAM and Unimog 1350l of the SFG and Paracommando units. The LTTV is based on the Unimog U5000 platform. Will feature removable mission modules that enable the vehicle to be re-rolled for operational platform versatility. Alongside a fully integrated suite of military sub-systems that includes a removable ballistic protection kit, a Roll-Over-Protection-System (ROPS), weapon mounts and communications fit.

Completion of the order is uncertain due bankruptcy Jankel Armoured Ltd

  • 27 special forces modules
  • 140 troop transport modules
  • 8 ambulance body modules
  • 24 logistics modules

Engineering vehicles

Name Images Origin Type Number Notes
Armoured recovery
Soframe HRV  France Armoured recovery vehicle 8 of 15 Taurus delivered

0 of 13 Aurus delivered

28 vehicles ordered. Will be armed with FN DeFNder light RWS armed with a 7.62mm machine gun
  • 15 combat recovery vehicles (Taurus)
  • 13 protected recovery vehicles (Aurus)
Renault Kerax  France Tow truck 27 In service since 2001
Armoured combat engineer vehicle
JCB HMEE  United Kingdom military engineering vehicle ~4 First vehicles arrived in 2022.
Bridge layers
Leguan  Germany armoured vehicle-launched bridge Unknown Originally 9, currently unknown.

Still in use in 2021 by the 11th Engineer Battalion (Belgium)

Logistics vehicles

Name Images Origin Type Number Notes
Unimog 1.9T  Germany Light truck 61 Will be replaced with the Volvo N10 by the new DAF 4x4 and 8x8 from 2022.
  • 10 Unimog 1.9T 4×4 JACAM variants
  • 47 Unimog 1.9T 4×4 Mistral variants
  • 4 Unimog 1.9T 4×4 SVB variants
Mercedes-Benz Actros  Germany Transport truck 60 In service since 2002
Iveco M250

 Italy Medium heavy truck 400 350 with optional removable ballistic protection kits. Will be replaced by the DAF 8x8.
Iveco ALC 8x4  Italy Autonomous load carrier 149 In service since 2004. Will be replaced by the DAF 8x8 hooklift
DAF CF Military 4x4  Czech Republic
 Netherlands
Light truck 150 of 636 delivered 636 vehicles ordered. Tatra chassis & armoured cabs (352) (Czech Republic); Paccar MX-11 engine (United States); DAF Trucks unarmoured cabs (Belgium).
Will replace the Volvo N10 6x6 and the Mercedes Unimog 4x4.
DAF CF 8x8  Czech Republic
 Netherlands
Heavy truck 0 of 243 delivered 243 vehicles ordered. Tatra chassis & armoured cabs (352) (Czech Republic); Paccar MX-13 engine (United States); DAF Trucks unarmoured cabs (Belgium).
Will replace the Iveco M250 and the Iveco ALC 8x4
DAF CF 8x8 tractor  Czech Republic
 Netherlands
Heavy transport 0 of 9 delivered 9 vehicles ordered. TATRA Defense Systems will produce the chassis in Czech Republic and DAF will produce non-armored cabins in Westerlo. This a 8x8 heavy transport truck with 460HP. 9 Broshuis 2-axle low-loader are including the order. Will replace the Scania T144. Will be delivered in 2024.
Volvo N10  Sweden Medium heavy truck Unknown Will replaced by the DAF 4x4 and 8x8 from 2022.

240 Volvo Fassi N10 Trucks plegded to Ukraine.

Scania T144  Sweden Heavy transport 26 In service since 2002. Will be replaced by the DAF Heavy Transport 8x8 from 2024

Miscellaneous

Name Images Origin Type Number Notes
Groundhog  United Kingdom Terrain vehicle 38 In service since 2009
M-Gator  United States Light utility vehicle Unknown Used for medical evacuation
Unmanned ground vehicles
Integrated Unmanned Ground System  European Union Unmanned ground vehicle Unknown THeMIS that will be used as basis for the iMUGS.

Used by Dovo.

Utility vehicles
Kia Sportage  South Korea SUV 132 The Ford Ranger XLT and the Volkswagen Tiguan Life are the new 4x4 vehicles for Defense. They replace the current 4x4 fleet of 132 KIA Sportage and 50 Volkswagen Amarok vehicles.
Volkswagen Amarok  Germany Pick-up 50 The Ford Ranger XLT and the Volkswagen Tiguan Life are the new 4x4 vehicles for Defense. They replace the current 4x4 fleet of 132 KIA Sportage and 50 Volkswagen Amarok vehicles.
Volkswagen Transporter (T6)  Germany Van Unknown Still in use in 2018 with the MP.

Unmanned aerial vehicles

name Images Origin Type Number Notes
AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven  United States UAV 32 Acquired in 2017.
AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma  United States Remote controlled UAS Unknown Leased from the USA.
Boeing Insitu RQ-21 Blackjack  United States Unmanned air vehicle 2 2 systems ordered in December 2020.

Radars

Name Images Origin Type Number Notes
Thames Squire/

Gevechtsveldbewakingsradar Squire

 Netherlands Ground Surveillance Radar 9-20 Used by Jagers te Paard Battalion

Future equipment

Model Images Origin Type Quantity ordered Notes
Infantry equipment
FN EVOLYS Belgium Ultra-light machine gun 20 For evaluation

5.56×45mm NATO and 7.62×51mm NATO

Akeron MP France Anti-tank Guided Missile Will equip the Jaguar EBRC, the spike will remain in service until 2030.

First deliveries in 2026.

Vehicles
EBRC Jaguar France Reconnaissance vehicle 60 60 vehicles ordered to replace the Piranha DF30 & DF90. Deliveries are planned to commence in 2025.

2 battalions will use the Jaguar.

VBMR Griffon France Armoured personnel carrier 382 382 ordered to replace the Piranha and Dingo 2.

The vehicle will be delivered in various versions:

  • VTT - Armoured personnel carrier
  • Genié variant - Combat engineering & Recovery
  • Ambulance/Santé variant - Medical evacuation
  • EPC/VOA variant - Forward observer & Command and control.
Self-propelled artillery
CAESAR NG France Self-propelled artillery 28 According to information released by the Belgian Ministry of Defense on October 29, 2021, a 27 million euro contract has been signed for the delivery of 9 systems CAESAR NG (New Generation) from the French company Nexter in 2027 to increase their artillery capabilities.

On June 30, 2022, it was decided that 19 more systems will be ordered after 2027. Order confirmed by council of Ministers December 8, 2023.

Comprising 24 operational units and 4 units designated for military training.

Griffon MEPAC France Mortar Carrier 24 On June 30, 2022, It was decided that 2 batteries with 8 vehicles will be ordered to support the 4 infantry battalions. Will replace the 120mm mortar Order confirmed by council of Ministers December 8, 2023.
Air defence
Mistral-3
France MANPAD Together with Estonia, Cyprus, France & Hungary, Belgium signed a cooperation agreement to jointly procure Mistral short-range air defence missile systems.

Combine order of >1,000 missiles.

Miscellaneous
Multifunctional fire trucks from the company Fire Technics  Belgium Truck 0 of 5 In addition to firefighting, the vehicles also support demining exercises, shooting drills, and the testing of new weapons.
Ford Ranger  Australia
 Argentina
 Mexico
Pick-ups 0 of 99

Delivered

The Ford Ranger XLT and the Volkswagen Tiguan Life are the new 4x4 vehicles for Defense. They replace the current 4x4 fleet of 132 KIA Sportage and 50 Volkswagen Amarok vehicles.
Volkswagen Tiguan  Germany SUV 0 of +77

Delivered

Former equipment

An M75 APC at the Brussels Army Museum

This page was last updated at 2024-03-18 06:12 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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