On August 27, 2025, Belgium announced its participation in NATO’s Black Sea surveillance mission with the deployment of two F-16 fighter jets and one aircrew assigned to a French A330 MRTT tanker aircraft, as reported by the Belgian Ministry of Defence. This operation comes at a moment of heightened regional tension and illustrates the growing importance of multinational cooperation in safeguarding international airspace. The Belgian commitment contributes to protecting European interests in the Black Sea, including free trade, energy transit, and migration control, while supporting France in a critical mission for collective security. Read Full Defense News At This Link.
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| By deploying F-16s and integrating its aircrew within a French MRTT framework, Belgium shows how targeted contributions can bolster European security and collective defense (Picture source: Belgian MoD) |