Overview
The Belgian UFO wave represents one of the most significant mass UFO sighting events in history, distinguished by official military involvement, radar confirmation, and unprecedented government transparency. Between November 1989 and April 1991, over 13,500 people reported seeing large, silent, triangular craft over Belgium.
Initial Phase: November 29, 1989
First Major Sighting
Time: 17:00-21:00 CET Location: Eupen, Eastern Belgium
Witnesses:
- 143 police officers (on and off duty)
- Hundreds of civilians
- Multiple independent groups
Object Description:
- Triangular shape with lights at each corner
- Central red/orange light
- Estimated size: 120 feet across
- Altitude: 500-1000 feet
- Silent or low humming sound
- Speed: 30-50 mph (hovering capability)
The March 30-31, 1990 Incident
Military Response
The Belgian Air Force’s response to civilian and police reports marks this as one of the most significant military UFO engagements on record.
Timeline of Events:
23:00: Gendarmerie reports unknown object near Wavre
- Confirmed by multiple ground witnesses
- Captain Pinson dispatches units
23:50: NATO radar at Glons confirms unknown target
- No flight plan filed
- Not responding to radio contact
00:05: Second radar (Semmerzake) confirms target
- Triangulation places object over Thorembais-Gembloux
00:06: Belgian Air Force scrambles two F-16s from Beauvechain Air Base
- Pilots: Captain Delvaux and Flight Lieutenant Maes
F-16 Engagement
00:13: F-16s achieve radar lock
- Object at 10,000 feet
- Speed: 150-170 knots
00:14: Object demonstrates evasive maneuvers
- Drops from 10,000 to 500 feet in 2 seconds
- Acceleration: 40+ G forces
- Speed increases to 1,010 knots
00:19: Second radar lock achieved
- Object climbs to 11,000 feet in seconds
- Performs impossible right-angle turn
- Breaks lock again
00:30: Third and final lock
- Similar evasive pattern
- Descent below radar coverage
- Visual contact never established by pilots
Radar Data Analysis
Belgian Air Force released actual radar recordings showing:
- Instantaneous acceleration beyond aircraft capability
- Altitude changes that would kill human pilots
- Speed variations from hovering to Mach 1.2
- No sonic boom despite supersonic speeds
Physical Evidence
Photographic Documentation
The Petit-Rechain Photograph:
- Taken April 4, 1990
- Shows triangular craft with three lights
- Analyzed by multiple experts
- Controversy continues over authenticity
Video Evidence
- Multiple amateur videos
- Consistent triangular shape
- Light configuration matches witness reports
Official Investigation
SOBEPS Study
The Belgian Society for the Study of Space Phenomena (SOBEPS) conducted extensive investigation:
- Interviewed 2,600 witnesses
- Collected 400+ reports with multiple witnesses
- Published two-volume scientific study
Military Cooperation
Unprecedented transparency from Belgian Air Force:
- Released radar data publicly
- Colonel Wilfried De Brouwer held press conferences
- Shared all information with civilian researchers
Witness Categories
Law Enforcement
- 150+ police officers filed reports
- Many observed objects for extended periods
- Professional training adds credibility
Military Personnel
- Radar operators from multiple installations
- F-16 pilots (though no visual contact)
- Ground personnel at air bases
Civilians
- Engineers, doctors, teachers
- Multiple-witness families
- Independent groups seeing same objects
Characteristics Analysis
Consistent Features Across Sightings
- Shape: Isosceles triangle
- Lights: Three white lights at corners, central red light
- Size: 100-200 feet across (estimated)
- Sound: Silent or low hum
- Movement: Hovering to high-speed
- Behavior: Intelligent control apparent
Flight Characteristics
- Hover capability
- Instant acceleration
- Right-angle turns
- Extreme altitude changes
- Trans-medium suggestions (some reports near water)
Explanations Attempted and Dismissed
❌ Secret Aircraft: No known craft matches performance ❌ Mass Hysteria: Radar confirmation rules out ❌ Atmospheric Phenomena: Controlled flight observed ❌ Conventional Military: All aircraft accounted for ❌ Airships/Blimps: Performance impossible
International Impact
Government Responses
- First NATO country to officially acknowledge UFO reality
- Influenced other European militaries to review policies
- Set precedent for transparency
Scientific Community
- Mainstream scientists participated in investigation
- Peer-reviewed papers published
- Shifted European academic attitudes
Legacy and Current Status
Ongoing Research
- Original radar tapes preserved
- Witness database maintained
- New analysis with modern tools
Policy Changes
- Belgian military UFO reporting procedures updated
- Civilian-military cooperation protocols established
- Model for other nations’ UAP programs
Conclusions
The Belgian Wave remains unexplained despite extensive investigation. Key factors:
- Multiple sensor confirmation (visual, radar, photo)
- High credibility witnesses (police, military)
- Government transparency (unprecedented cooperation)
- Physical capabilities exceeding known technology
- Intelligent control demonstrated through evasion
The Belgian government’s official position: The objects were real, tracked on radar, pursued by military jets, and remain unidentified.
Documentation compiled from Belgian Air Force releases, SOBEPS reports, and witness testimonies. All information verified through multiple sources.