🇧🇪 Belgium Nuclear Warheads Hosted

Overview in 2026

Belgium hosts U.S. tactical nuclear weapons at Kleine Brogel Air Base, located in Limburg province near Peer. It is one of five NATO "nuclear sharing" sites, where U.S.-owned B61 gravity bombs are stored under strict dual-key protocols—requiring both U.S. and Belgian authorization before use.

Weapon Type & Quantity

Weapon type: B61-12 guided nuclear bombs, upgraded from the older B61-3 and B61-4 variants. The NNSA completed the B61-12 Life Extension Program in December 2024, and the modernized weapons are now fully forward-deployed in Europe.
Estimated stockpile: Approximately 10–20 bombs are assigned to Belgian forces at Kleine Brogel.
Storage capacity: The base has 11 secure WS3 vaults, each capable of holding four bombs, for a total capacity of 44 weapons.

F-35 Transition & Nuclear Delivery

Belgium's first F-35As arrived in October 2025 at Florennes Air Base, with 11 of the initial 34 jets delivered by early 2026. In July 2025, Belgium ordered 11 additional F-35As, raising the total to 45 aircraft. The F-35A was officially certified to carry the B61-12 in October 2023—a key factor in Belgium's selection of the aircraft. F-35s will deploy to Kleine Brogel's 10th Tactical Wing from 2027, taking over the nuclear strike role from the F-16. Full operational capability is expected by late 2030. A €275 million infrastructure program is underway at Kleine Brogel, including 16 aircraft shelters, maintenance docks, and a high-security area with simulators.

Security & Readiness

In November 2025, Kleine Brogel was targeted by sophisticated drone reconnaissance flights over multiple nights, suspected to be Russian espionage probing the base's defenses. Defense Minister Theo Francken described it as a deliberate operation, noting that the drone operators defeated Belgian jammers by testing and changing frequencies. The incidents prompted calls for upgraded counter-drone capabilities across NATO nuclear sites.

Role in NATO Exercises & European Deterrence

Belgium regularly participates in nuclear readiness drills. Steadfast Noon 2025 (October) involved operations at Kleine Brogel, Volkel, RAF Lakenheath, and Skrydstrup, with 70+ aircraft from 14 allied nations. In March 2026, Belgium joined France's "forward deterrence" initiative, in which eight European nations participate in a French-led framework for expanded nuclear deterrence across the continent. PM Bart De Wever confirmed Belgium's participation, marking a shift from previous coalition ambiguity on nuclear hosting.