Lockheed Martin has delivered the Belgian Air Force’s first three F-35A Lightning II combat aircraft, marking a historic milestone in the NATO country’s air defense modernization as it transitions from aging F-16s to fifth-generation air power.
The three jets arrived after an eight-hour flight from the US to the Azores, followed by a four-hour leg to Florennes Air Base, where military and Lockheed officials celebrated their official incorporation into Belgian operations.
Chief of Defence Gen. Frederik Vansina emphasized during the ceremony that the adoption of the platforms “heralds a new era of a connected, agile, and resolutely future-oriented defense.”
“Together with our NATO and European allies, we’re building a wall of F-35s — a shield of over 700 aircraft securing our European skies,” he stated.
“That wall is not a symbol of aggression, but of determination. It says loud and clear: the skies over Europe belong to those who defend freedom, not to those who seek to destroy it.”
Combat Aircraft Expansion
Brussels first ordered 34 F-35A fighters in 2018 and later added 11 more, bringing the total to 45.
Eight of the aircraft remain at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, where Belgian pilots and maintenance crews are completing training.
Once fully deployed, 26 jets will be based at Florennes and Kleine-Brogel air bases, with four assigned to NATO’s Quick Reaction Alert mission. The fleet is expected to reach full operational capability by 2030.
Some of the F-16s that the new planes will replace are bound for Ukraine as part of military aid for Kyiv’s defense against Russia’s invasion.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever said that his government plans to send two F-16s this year and another two in 2026 under that initiative.
“The F-35 is a testament to the power of allied air power, providing a critical advantage to all who operate it. As we’ve seen in recent operations on Europe’s eastern flank, this aircraft is making a difference for the deterrence and defense of NATO,” said Greg Ulmer, president at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics.
“For more than 70 years, we have proudly partnered with Belgium to strengthen its national security and defense industrial base, and this milestone is a major step toward ensuring the Belgian Air Force will continue staying ahead of adversarial threats for decades to come.”
