QinetiQ is to support the Belgian government in establishing a sovereign electronic warfare capability under a new multi-million pound programme, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the UK and Belgium.
According to the firm, over the next five years, QinetiQ will export its mission data expertise to help set up a Joint Electromagnetic Warfare Support Centre in Belgium. Mission data, the information derived from sources such as threat signatures, radar, and communications frequencies, is increasingly critical to modern military operations, enabling platforms to identify and respond to evolving threats.
Defence Minister Luke Pollard was quoted as saying: “By combining our expertise and investing in shared capabilities, we are strengthening NATO and showing Britain stands shoulder-to-shoulder with our European allies. This is not just good news for our partnership with Belgium – it is good news for the UK defence industry. A significant amount of this investment will flow directly into the UK.”
Steve Wadey, QinetiQ Group CEO, said: “Our extensive operational experience supporting the UK’s production and management of its mission data means we’re in a unique position to provide specialist expertise and training to allied nations, as they build and enhance their own sovereign capabilities in this increasingly critical area for defence.”
The programme draws on QinetiQ’s role as industry lead for Project SOCIETAS, a UK government-industry partnership through which the company delivers mission data services to the British armed forces via the Joint Electronic Warfare Operational Support Centre. QinetiQ also works with the Royal Air Force at the Typhoon Mission Support Centre, where embedded teams develop and refine mission data for the UK Typhoon fleet.
Major General Ciparisse, Commander of the Belgian Cyber Force, said: “To address the growing need for specialised electromagnetic warfare experts and to support the introduction of new high technology weapon systems, it appeared entirely natural for us to adopt a cooperation model inspired by the successful British SOCIETAS programme and the United Kingdom’s long standing experience in electronic warfare.”
He added: “This initiative aims to provide Belgium with a reliable, long term and sovereign EW capability, reinforcing national resilience in an increasingly complex electromagnetic environment.”
The MOU was signed by Major General Pierre Ciparisse and Air Vice-Marshal Nigel Maddox from Defence Exports at the UK Ministry of Defence. QinetiQ will work alongside the Belgian Ministry of Defence, the UK MoD, and industry partners in both nations to establish, operationalise, and sustain the new centre.
