Belgium to Launch First Military Satellite Constellation by 2030

Belgium announced on Thursday a historic investment of more than €200 million ($233 million) to develop its first independent military satellite constellation, ending the country’s long-standing reliance on allied nations for satellite imagery. Defense Minister Theo Francken confirmed the program, named GALO (Global coverage All weather Low Earth Orbit Observation), during a visit to the United States.

Speaking to L’Echo and De Tijd, Francken said the constellation will consist of “several dozen” satellites operating in low Earth orbit, with initial operational capability expected by 2027 and full capability by 2030.

Ending a Strategic Vulnerability

Until now, Belgium has relied almost entirely on allied — primarily French — military satellites for intelligence imagery. According to Francken, Belgium could request access to the French system for only a few minutes each day, severely constraining its ability to monitor strategic regions independently.

“The investment is more than 200 million euros,” Francken told L’Echo, as reported by RTBF. The GALO program will provide Belgium with continuous, autonomous access to satellite imagery for the first time.

The Anadolu Ajansı reported that the Belgian Air Force’s Space Security Centre will oversee the project, with the military intelligence service ADIV also involved in utilizing the data.

A Constellation with Strategic Focus on Africa

Multiple sources indicate that the GALO constellation will significantly strengthen Belgium’s capacity to monitor strategically important regions, particularly in Africa, where Belgium maintains military deployments and tracks several ongoing security crises. Satellites have become essential instruments for observing theaters of operation, tracking force movements, anticipating threats, and sharing intelligence with allies.

Francken noted that data collected by the system will serve not only Belgium but also its allies, enhancing the country’s value as a NATO partner.

Building on the MATTEO Precursor

The GALO announcement follows the March 2026 award of a prime contract to Redwire Corporation to build MATTEO, Belgium’s first national security satellite, in partnership with Walloon satellite manufacturer Aerospacelab. As Defence Industry Europe reported, the MATTEO mission is designed as an “in-orbit demonstrator” to advance Belgium’s future space capabilities.

Marc Dielissen, Executive Vice President of Redwire Europe, said: “MATTEO represents a significant advancement for Belgium’s technological sovereignty and national security.” A Belgian Defence spokesperson added that the program sends “a strong and univocal signal” amid global tensions and a new European awareness.

Aerospacelab has been identified as a key local industry partner for the GALO constellation, though the procurement process remains open. Because Belgium has no domestic launch site, the satellites will likely be launched by foreign providers such as SpaceX.

NATO Context and European Defense Autonomy

The announcement comes just days after the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey (July 7-8, 2026), where Belgium was recognized for reaching the 2% of GDP defense spending target. As RTBF reported, the summit was marked by US pressure on European allies to assume greater responsibility for their own security.

Belgium’s move aligns with a broader European trend toward strategic autonomy in defense, particularly in space capabilities. The country joins a growing list of European nations — including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK — developing dedicated military space assets.

A Roadmap in the Making

The GALO program builds on Belgium’s first comprehensive Space Defence Technology Roadmap, unveiled in October 2025 at the Royal Military Academy. Developed by the Royal Higher Institute for Defence (RHID) in partnership with Sirris, the roadmap identified three strategic pillars: Earth Observation for Intelligence (ISR), Space Situational Awareness (SSA), and Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) satellites.

Belgium’s space sector already includes more than 230 companies and research organizations, many with experience in European Space Agency programs, as Orbital Today noted in its coverage of the roadmap.

Challenges Ahead

While the GALO program marks a historic step, several challenges remain. Belgium has no domestic launch capability and will depend on foreign providers, creating a potential strategic vulnerability. The 2027-2030 timeline is ambitious for a first-generation military satellite constellation, and military space programs historically face cost overruns.

Additionally, without sustained funding increases, Belgium’s defense spending is projected to fall to 1.93% of GDP by 2029, raising questions about the long-term sustainability of the country’s defense modernization efforts.

What to Watch For

In the coming months, attention will focus on which Belgian companies are selected for the GALO procurement, the launch service provider chosen, and how the program is integrated with the existing MATTEO demonstrator. The extent of data-sharing arrangements with EU and NATO partners will also be closely watched as Belgium charts its course toward greater strategic autonomy in space.