Belgium orders 5 Cessna SkyCourier aircraft for special missions to become 1st military customer
April 9, 2026
Belgium has ordered five Cessna SkyCourier turboprops for its Special Operations Forces, becoming the first military customer of the type. Deliveries are due to take place in 2027, with aircraft undergoing modification by Sabena Engineering before entering service with the Belgian Air Force in 2029.
Belgium picks the Cessna SkyCourier for special missions
On 7 April, US-based Textron Aviation announced that Belgium had selected the Cessna SkyCourier as its newest special missions platform, awarding the planemaker with an order for five multirole aircraft to support the nation’s Special Operations Forces.
The selection of the SkyCourier by Belgium launches the SkyCourier into the global defence market for the first time and will be used to strengthen Belgium’s airlift capability.
According to Textron, Belgium selected the Cessna SkyCourier to allow for the rapid movement of personnel and equipment while supporting logistics, medical evacuation and crisis response operations, providing “a rugged, flexible platform built for demanding missions.”
Satisfying Belgium’s need for a STOL utility aircraft
Belgium’s order for the SkyCourier dates back to 2016, when the country’s “Vision Stratégique” defence white paper identified a requirement for STOL-capable light utility aircraft to support special forces operations.
While the white paper initially called for four aircraft to be procured, this later became five aircraft in 2025 under the SOA-FW (Special Operations Aviation, Fixed Wing) component of Belgium’s broader defence modernisation programme.
The SkyCourier was up against stiff competition to secure the Belgian order, with other types such as the Swiss Pilatus PC-12, Canada’s De Havilland Canada Twin Otter 400, and Czechia’s L-410NG all in the running.
However, the SkyCourier’s availability timelines and overall package, which includes crew training, spares supply and support services, are thought to have swung the deal.
Belgium’s SkyCouriers will be operated by the Belgian Air Force from Beauvechain Air Base in central Belgium. The fleet of five aircraft is expected to be fully online from 2029, after having completed the modification process at Sabena Engineering in Belgium.
The SkyCoutier targets rising global demand for a multirole aircraft
Belgium’s decision to opt for the SkyCourier reflects a rising global government demand for affordable, multirole aircraft that can support rapidly evolving mission sets, said Textron Aviation.
The company added that by selecting the SkyCourier, the decision will have a positive impact on the local industry through the choice of Sabena Engineering to carry out the modification work on the five aircraft.
The MRO outfit already supports Belgian Defence across several of its current airborne platforms, including F-35 fleet readiness preparations, PC-7 MKX pilot training modernisation with Pilatus and maintenance of Belgium’s A400 Atlas fleet.
“Working closely with Textron Aviation, Sabena Engineering will perform all mission‑specific integration and certification in Belgium, ensuring the SkyCourier delivers the flexible, responsive airlift capability our Special Operations Forces require while strengthening national industrial expertise and sovereignty,” said Stephane Burton, CEO, Sabena Engineering.
The Cessna SkyCourier’s versatility as a utility aircraft
The SkyCourier’s debut into the global defence market is the next step in the aircraft’s gathering momentum across various sectors of aviation.
Having originally been designed to specifications laid down by the global logistics giant FedEx Express (which ordered 100 aircraft), the type has found favour with operators worldwide operating in various roles, from freight delivery and commuter passenger operations to special missions roles and even parachuting drop capability, with a new side door option that was also recently announced by Textron Aviation.
“This first military selection signals strong armed service interest in the Cessna SkyCourier and underscores its readiness for high‑consequence missions,” said Travis Tyler, president and CEO, Textron Aviation Defence.
“The SkyCourier’s combination of rugged performance, low operating cost and the ability to operate from short and unimproved runways makes it a powerful solution for customers who need dependable lift in unpredictable environments.”
The capabilities of the Cessna SkyCourier
The Cessna SkyCourier twin-engine, high-wing turboprop is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65SC engines. Its cockpit is equipped with Garmin G1000 NXi avionics, and the type has a maximum cruise speed of more than 200 knots and a range of 900 nautical miles (1,667 km).
The freighter variant is sized to handle up to three LD3 shipping containers with an impressive 6,000-pound (2,722kg) payload capability. The 19-passenger variant includes crew and passenger doors to allow for ease of boarding.
The type has short take-off and landing capability (STOL) and can operate from unprepared or semi-prepared runways, adding extra versatility to the model’s credentials.
Featured image: Textron Aviation
