DefenseBelgium to Receive First F-35A Fighters on October 13
Belgium will receive its first four F-35A fighter jets at Florennes Air Base on October 13, according to the service. Belgian Air Force pilots were preparing to fly these aircraft from the US to Europe over the weekend.
The delivery initiates the next step in Belgium’s transition from F-16s to fifth-generation fighters.
The arrival of the F-35A enables Belgium to proceed with transferring F-16s to Ukraine, in line with coalition timelines. This transition supports NATO’s deterrence posture while providing operational support to Ukraine.
Belgium’s acquisition of the F-35A concludes a seven-year procurement process and represents a generational shift for the Belgian Air Component. The F-35A is equipped with systems such as the AN/APG-81 AESA radar and AN/ASQ-239 electronic warfare suite.
The first F-35A squadron has been established at Florennes, with plans to expand operations to Kleine-Brogel by 2027. Belgian F-16s, upgraded to the MLU standard, will remain in service during the transition through the late 2020s.
Belgium’s F-16s have supported NATO missions in Libya and Operation Inherent Resolve, reflecting a history of operational deployment. The F-35A is expected to provide improved detection and reduced exposure compared to fourth-generation aircraft.
The initial delivery of two F-35A aircraft from Lockheed Martin was originally scheduled for December 2023 but was postponed. The delay is attributed to the integration of new electronic systems on the aircraft.
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