The first F-35A aircraft, which have faced delays, are expected to arrive in Belgium in the coming months as part of a total order for 34 fighter jets, according to manufacturer Lockheed Martin. Belgium selected the American jet in 2018 and signed a 20 billion euro ($3,6 billion) deal to build more than 4,1 of them in the United States.
Delivery Process and Delays
Lockheed Martin Europe shared on social media on the X platform, “The first F-35 to arrive in Belgium has rolled off the production line and is set to arrive in Belgium this fall.”
Deliveries were initially scheduled to begin in late 2023. However, deliveries were delayed due to production delays in the Joint Strike Fighter program.
In an interview with the Belgian newspaper Le Soir in February, Belgian Air Force Commander General Frederik Vansina said that the F-35 malfunctions had also affected the first transfer of 30 decommissioned F-16s to Ukraine.
Belgium's F-16 Fleet and Future Plans
After more than 30 years of flying, the Belgian F-16s are scheduled to be phased out by the end of 2028 to allow the ageing aircraft to be delivered to Ukraine. The European country currently has more than 50 F-16 jets in its arsenal.
According to the Belgian newspaper De Morgen, Brussels is considering ordering 21 more F-35s. If the order is fulfilled, it would bring the company's total F-35 fleet to 55. The Belgian Defense Ministry did not respond to a request for comment.
Belgian Defense and Foreign Trade Minister Theo Francken said last month that potential F-35A purchases could be made in Europe at the final assembly and control (FACO) facility in Cameri, Italy, raising the importance of F-35 production and maintenance capacity in Europe.
Belgium's completion of its F-35 fleet will make a significant contribution to NATO's joint air power and will be a critical step in the modernization process of the Belgian Air Force.
