On October 13, the
Belgian Air Force
its first F-35A Lightning II from
manufacturer Lockheed Martin
officially took delivery in Belgium. Three jets landed at Florennes Air Force Base after a transfer flight from the USA – a historic moment that marks the beginning of a new era for Belgian defense.
“Together with our
NATO
– and European partners, we are building a wall of F-35s – a protective shield of over 700 aircraft that secures the skies of Europe,” explained General Frederik Vansina, head of the Belgian armed forces. “This wall is not a symbol of aggression, but of determination. It shows: The skies over Europe belong to those who defend freedom – not to those who want to destroy it.”
Major General Geert De Decker, Commander of the Belgian Air Force, also spoke of a “historic milestone”. With the F-35, Belgium is moving back into the premier league of air forces – “networked, technologically leading and ready to operate in a multinational environment”.
A generational leap
The F-35 replaces the F-16s, which have been in service for over 40 years and whose service life is largely exhausted and whose capabilities are no longer sufficient against modern threats. The decision in favor of the F-35A was made back in 2018 with the order of 34 aircraft – supplemented by the recently announced procurement of a further eleven. This brings the Belgian fleet to a total of 45 aircraft.
“The F-35 is much more than a fighter aircraft – it is a fully integrated fifth-generation weapon system,” said the commander of the 1st Squadron, Rufname Cortex, who flew one of the new jets to Belgium. Thanks to stealth technology, sensor fusion and data link, the F-35 can detect threats, engage targets with precision and share information with allies in real time. “This platform will become the cornerstone of tomorrow’s air defence,” emphasizes Cortex.
“The F-35 is an extraordinary weapon system – but it is only through the people who fly it that it becomes an instrument for security and stability in Europe.”
General Frederik Vansina
Florennes as a new home base
In order to accommodate the F-35, the Florennes base has been extensively modernized – with new hangars, maintenance buildings, simulators (
-> Belgium launches F-35 training with its own simulators
) and training facilities. Belgian pilots and technicians
According to current plans, 26 F-35As will be stationed in Belgium in the future, four of which will be used for Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) missions to secure NATO airspace. A further eight aircraft will remain in the USA for training. By 2030, 67 Belgian pilots should be fully operational.
Symbol of Europe’s defense capability
Defense Minister Theo Francken underlined the strategic importance of the procurement: “Six European NATO partners are already using the F-35, and soon there will be thirteen. This not only increases interoperability, but also industrial cooperation and maintainability in Europe.”
Greg Ulmer, President of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, added: “We have been working closely with Belgium for over 70 years. With the F-35, the Belgian Air Force remains at the forefront of technology and can meet future threats with superiority.”
“The future is in the hands of the new generation of soldiers,” said General Vansina in conclusion. “The F-35 is an exceptional weapon system – but it is the people who fly it that will make it an instrument for security and stability in Europe.”
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for more news about the Belgian armed forces and
here
to further news about Lockheed Martin.
