Lockheed Martin has delivered the first three F-35A Lightning II fighters to the Belgian Air Force, marking a major step in Belgium’s transition from F-16s to fifth-generation combat aircraft under its air defense modernization program.
The jets completed an eight-hour transatlantic flight from the US to the Azores, followed by a four-hour leg to Florennes Air Base, where military officials and Lockheed representatives formally welcomed the aircraft into Belgian service.
Belgium initially ordered 34 F-35As in 2018 and later expanded the acquisition to 45 aircraft.
Eight of these remain at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, supporting pilot and maintenance crew training.
Once full deployment is achieved, 26 fighters will operate from Florennes and Kleine-Brogel Air Bases, with four aircraft assigned to NATO’s Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) duty.
The fleet is expected to reach full operational capability by 2030.
Several retired F-16s are planned for transfer to Ukraine, reinforcing Kyiv’s air defense amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.
