Cessna SkyCourier Enters Military Market with Belgium Special Operations Forces
Textron Aviation Inc. has announced that Belgium’s Special Operations Forces have chosen the Cessna SkyCourier to operate as a special mission aircraft.
Belgium has purchased five of the multirole aircraft, marking the Cessna SkyCourier’s first time entering the global defense market.
The Cessna SkyCourier is a twin-engine, high-wing turboprop with the ability to operate well in challenging environments and carry up to three LD3 shipping containers.
It has features like:
- Wing-mounted Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65SC turboprop engines
- McCauley Propeller C779
- Garmin G1000 NXi avionics
- Payload capacity of 6,000 pounds
- Max cruise speed of 200 KTAS
- Range of 900 nautical miles
- Single-point pressure refueling
- Variant with room for 19 passengers
- Large cabin windows
The Cessna SkyCourier also helps to lower operating costs for operators of:
- Air freight
- Commuter aircraft
- Special mission aircraft
Belgium plans to use its new SkyCourier fleet for:
- Moving personnel and equipment rapidly
- Logistics
- Medical evacuation
- Crisis response
The aircraft are expected to be delivered to prime contractor Sabena Engineering throughout 2027. Then, in‑country military modifications will be applied before transferring to the Belgian Special Operations Forces.
“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 Defense.
Tyler continued, “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.”
Sabena Engineering CEO Stephane Burton said, “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.”
Textron Aviation Inc. is a Textron Inc. company.