Bart De Wever : The system would be able to protect nearly two-thirds of the port area. 

BRUSSELS, Reuters) – A Defense Ministry spokesperson said on Thursday that Belgium is preparing to deploy an air-defense system at the Port of Antwerp to counter the growing threat of drones to critical infrastructure. Last year, Belgium faced a series of drone incursions that forced temporary shutdowns at Belgian airports and a military airbase.

Meanwhile there were multiple reports of drone sightings over the Port of Antwerp, including above nuclear power plants, the BASF chemical complex, and the Europa container terminal. These reports raised alarms about the vulnerability of key industrial and energy sites.

A first NASAMS battery had been ordered

Prime minister Bart De Wever announced that a first NASAMS battery had been ordered and was due to arrive in 2027, according to newspaper Gazet van Antwerpen. He said the system would be able to protect nearly two-thirds of the port area. The exact location of the system has not been disclosed for security reasons.

The hub's strategic importance:

In the same context a port spokesperson said the deployment reflects the hub's strategic importance: "Given the importance of our port as an economic engine of Belgium, it is essential that the port is protected and secured, both digitally and physically."

Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System

It is noteworthy that the Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System ( NORWEGAV ) is an air defense system designed to intercept aircraft and cruise missiles. Each battery includes a radar for detecting incoming threats, launch units for firing missiles, and a control center for managing operations. Additional batteries are expected in the coming years. The entire port and nearby sites, including nuclear power stations, could be protected by a second unit.

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The NASAMS system does not provide full protection

However, experts note that the NASAMS system does not provide full protection. It is ineffective against very low-flying drones and cannot intercept ballistic missiles according to Belgan News Agency  which require systems such as MIM-104 Patriot.De Wever also confirmed that he had ordered an anti-drone system. Last year, the port's chief executive reported a significant number of drones flying over sensitive sites without being registered, including chemical facilities and terminals.

About : the Port of Antwerp 

The Port of Antwerp is located in Antwerp, Belgium. Located in Flanders, it is primarily in the province of Antwerp but also extends into East Flanders. This seaport is located in the heart of Europe and is accessible to capesize ships. It is the second-largest seaport in Europe after Rotterdam. Antwerp is located at the upper end of the Scheldt estuary. The estuary is navigable by ships weighing more than 100,000 gross tons up to 80 kilometers inland. Like the Port of Hamburg, Antwerp's inland location provides a more central location in Europe than most North Sea ports. The port's docks are connected to the hinterland by rail, road, and river and canal waterways.

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Source : Agencies 

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