United to win: Belgium to send Sea Sparrow missiles to Ukraine

The Belgian Ministry of Defense has purchased Sea Sparrow missiles from Germany. 

Rubryka reports, referring to the Belgian publication L'Echo, that some of these missiles are intended for Ukraine. A total of 14 missiles were purchased, eight of which will go to Ukraine.

L'Echo reports that Germany has just decommissioned the last frigate that used these American munitions. Ukraine can refurbish them to use from the ground or drones. 

Belgium was able to buy missiles for €7,000 each. Its current €150,000 aid package for Ukraine also includes 3,200 magazines for assault rifles and about fifty explosive devices to blow up ground obstacles.

Background

The Sea Sparrow missile is an American ship-to-air guided missile with a semi-active homing radar warhead. It was developed by Raytheon Corporation in the early 1960s on the basis of the AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missile and was adopted in 1976. It is a short-range naval anti-aircraft missile used to provide missile defense for ships. The missile has a 3.64-meter length, 20.3 cm diameter, 1-meter wingspan, 1.5-30 km range.

As reported, Belgium approved €90 million in aid last January, including missiles and small arms. On June 16, the Belgian Council of Ministers approved the fifteenth military aid package in support of Ukraine.