Brussels: Belgium will invest more than £200 million ($233 million) to develop its first independent military satellite constellation, Defense Minister Theo Francken announced on Thursday. The initiative aims to reduce the country's reliance on foreign satellite imagery. According to Anadolu Agency, during a visit to the US, Francken revealed to newspapers De Tijd and L'Echo that the project would involve "several dozen" satellites, expected to be fully operational by 2030. Currently, Belgium depends on French satellites for military imagery and can request images from the system only for a few minutes each day. The planned satellite constellation intends to provide continuous access to satellite imagery, addressing this limitation. The Belgian Air Force's Space Security Centre, which manages military space activities, will oversee the project. The military intelligence service ADIV will also be involved, ensuring a comprehensive approach to the constellation's development. Francken mentioned that Belgian c ompanies, including Walloon satellite manufacturer Aerospacelab, might participate in the procurement process, fostering domestic involvement in this strategic endeavor. Although Belgium does not have its own launch site, the satellites will likely be launched by foreign companies such as SpaceX. The data collected by the satellite system will not only serve Belgium but could also have broader applications, as stated by Francken. The development of the constellation is already underway, with full operational capability targeted for 2030.