Belgian SkyGuardian Drones Deployed Abroad for First Time, Controlled from Florennes Base

Belgium is deploying its state-of-the-art SkyGuardian drones for their first international mission, patrolling the Mediterranean Sea to combat illegal migration and arms smuggling. The two new drones, operated by the Belgian military, will conduct extended surveillance flights over the next two days as part of NATO's Operation Sea Guardian.

Minister of Defence Theo Francken highlighted the importance of this deployment, emphasizing that threats do not respect borders. "What happens in North Africa, the Sahel, or the Middle East has a direct impact on illegal migration flows towards our country," Francken stated. He stressed that addressing these issues is crucial for collective security, focusing on stability, countering extremism, and curbing illegal migration.

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The fight against illegal migration, alongside violent extremism and international terrorism, remains an absolute top priority for our collective security.

Remarkably, although the drones operate hundreds or even thousands of kilometers away, their control remains firmly in Belgium. Pilots are stationed at the military base in Florennes, where the command center is equipped with all necessary screens, computers, and satellite connections to remotely pilot the MQ-9B SkyGuardian aircraft.

This deployment marks a significant technological leap for the Belgian Air Force, introducing advanced Medium Altitude, Long Endurance (MALE) drone capabilities. The SkyGuardian can patrol for up to 40 hours, gather real-time data, and is one of the first drones designed for seamless integration into European civilian airspace. This capability allows for surveillance not only in mission zones but also over Belgian territory during emergencies or disasters.

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Threats do not stop at the borders of Europe. What happens in North Africa, the Sahel, or the Middle East has direct impact on the illegal migration flows towards our country. Therefore, we are focusing on stability, countering extremism, and especially curbing illegal migration flows that threaten our security.