Belgium receiving additional batch of Mikron night-vision goggles

Belgium is procuring a further 3,500 Mikron night-vision goggles as part of the Night Vision Capability programme. (Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation)

The Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR)is procuring on behalf of Belgium an additional 3,500 Mikron night-vision goggles (NVGs) from the Theon Sensors and Hensoldt consortium following an amendment to the Night Vision Capability (NVC) contract.

The NVC contract was signed in July 2021 between OCCAR and the consortium for the provision of NVGs to Belgium and Germany to improve their armies' night-vision capability and bolster interoperability. As part of this, 4,550 16 mm NVGs were delivered to Belgium and 5,000 to Germany with an option for follow-on orders of up to 20,000 NVGs.

Germany exercised the option for 20,000 NVGs in July 2022 under a separate amendment to the NVC contract.

This latest contract amendment not only includes additional sets for Belgium, but also comprises an option for a further 16,041 NVG sets for Germany, up to 25,000 additional NVG sets for Belgium and/or Germany, an additional 8,423 Head Mounting Systems for Germany, and initial and follow-on in-service support for the extra NVG sets.

Mikron is a lightweight dual-tube binocular that can be helmet-mounted, head-mounted, or handheld and is powered by a self-contained single AA battery. It also features an integrated infrared illuminator; however, this can have the unfortunate effect of illuminating the soldier wearing the system. It is a successor to the Thales Lucie NVG used by the German Army.