Formidable Shield 2025: F931 Louise-Marie showcases the strength of the Belgian Navy
This spring, the Belgian guided-missile frigate F931 Louise-Marie deployed to the North Atlantic to participate in Formidable Shield 2025 — NATO’s premier biennial integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) exercise held across the Arctic and North Atlantic regions.
In brief
The Belgian guided-missile frigate F931 Louise-Marie took part in the multinational NATO exercise Formidable Shield 2025 in the waters of the North Atlantic. The manoeuvres, held every two years in the Arctic and North Atlantic region, cover integrated air and missile defence and tests of detecting ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. The Karel Doorman-class frigate F931 Louise-Marie has undergone upgrades to its anti-aircraft defence and electronic warfare systems. Representatives of the Belgian Ministry of Defence said the vessel's participation confirms its readiness to secure the Euro-Atlantic area.
The exercise plays a critical role in reinforcing the Alliance’s collective defense posture, focusing on detecting, tracking, and neutralizing complex threats such as ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and cyberattacks — all within a contested, multi-domain environment.
For Belgium, participation in Formidable Shield is not just a training opportunity but a strategic demonstration of the Belgian Navy’s operational capabilities in the demanding conditions of northern waters. The Louise-Marie, a Karel Doorman-class frigate, has undergone extensive modernization to enhance its interoperability within NATO frameworks, particularly in air defense and electronic warfare.
- The presence of a Belgian warship in these high-end exercises signals our readiness and ability to actively contribute to securing the Euro-Atlantic area, said representatives of the Belgian Ministry of Defence.
Formidable Shield brings together naval, air, and land-based assets from over a dozen NATO member states to test real-world combat readiness under a unified defensive shield. It also serves as a proving ground for advanced technologies, including network-centric data sharing and multi-platform fire coordination — integrating surface ships, ground systems, aviation assets, and satellite capabilities.
By taking part in this exercise, the Belgian Navy affirms its role within the NATO defense structure and strengthens operational cooperation with key partners in the North Sea and Atlantic regions.
Source: Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Kamil Kusier
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