Aviation News – Belgium has ordered five Cessna 408 SkyCourier aircraft to support its special operations forces, opting for rugged twin-engine transports that can operate from short and unprepared airstrips, a move aimed at boosting rapid deployment and evacuation capabilities.
The acquisition, outlined in the Ministry of Defence’s latest policy note, covers commercially built aircraft from U.S. manufacturer Cessna, part of Textron Aviation, which will be converted into military configurations in Belgium. Local aerospace firms Sonaca and Sabena Engineering will carry out the modifications. The selection comes amid broader efforts to modernize Belgium’s special operations mobility, though the tender has faced scrutiny following a legal challenge from a Canadian aircraft maker alleging procedural irregularities. A ruling from the Council of State is pending.
The twin-engine SkyCourier seats up to 19 passengers and features a spacious cargo hold, making it suited to troop transport, logistics and light cargo missions. Its short takeoff and landing performance allows operations from very short runways, grass strips and austere fields, enabling discreet insertions, medical evacuations and the extraction of civilians or diplomatic personnel during crises.
A defence spokesperson said the aircraft would “significantly enhance the flexibility and responsiveness of our special operations forces, allowing them to deploy quickly and safely in environments where larger aircraft cannot operate.”
Once converted with additional sensors and mission equipment, including camera systems for surveillance and reconnaissance, the fleet is expected to strengthen Belgium’s ability to conduct intelligence, humanitarian and rapid-response missions both at home and abroad. Deliveries and modifications will proceed in phases after final legal and contractual steps.
With the new SkyCouriers, Belgium aims to bridge the gap between helicopters and larger transport aircraft, creating a versatile, lower-cost platform for tactical airlift. The investment underscores a growing focus on mobility and adaptability as European forces prepare for a wider range of security and emergency scenarios.