10/09/2026
🚁 Throwback Thursday: The helicopters that shaped Beauvechain’s history🚁
For decades, Beauvechain Air Base has been at the heart of the Belgian Defence helicopter capability. Three aircraft have particularly marked this journey: the A109, the NH90, and today, the H145M.
The A109 was the trusted companion of several generations of aircrew. Since the 1990s, this light, fast, and versatile helicopter has carried out countless training, transport, and support missions, becoming a true icon of Beauvechain.
The arrival of the NH90 marked the beginning of a new era. Larger and more powerful, it enabled tactical transport, medical evacuation, and operational support missions, both in Belgium and abroad. Its introduction represented a major step forward in the modernization of Belgian Defence’s air capabilities.
Today, the H145M is writing the next chapter of this story. Modern, flexible, and equipped with the latest technologies, it is gradually taking over to meet the operational challenges of tomorrow. Its arrival at Beauvechain confirms the base’s central role in the future of Belgian military helicopters.
Three generations of helicopters, one mission: to serve, protect, and stand ready to respond wherever Belgium needs them.