Lockheed Martin has officially handed over the first three F-35A Lightning II fighters to the Belgian Air Force, marking a major step forward in Belgium’s modernization of its aerial defense capabilities. The induction signifies the country’s transition from legacy F-16s to fifth-generation multirole fighters, reinforcing its role within NATO’s collective air power framework.
The delivery involved a long-distance ferry flight from the United States to Europe, covering an eight-hour journey to the Azores and an additional four-hour leg to Florennes Air Base in Belgium. The arrival ceremony was attended by top Belgian military officials and Lockheed Martin representatives, celebrating the aircraft’s formal entry into operational service.
Belgium initially ordered 34 F-35As in 2018 before expanding the procurement to 45 aircraft. Currently, eight F-35s remain at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, where Belgian pilots and technicians are undergoing intensive training programs to ensure operational readiness.
Once all aircraft are deployed, 26 will operate from Florennes and Kleine-Brogel air bases, while four jets will take on NATO’s Quick Reaction Alert duties. Full operational capability is expected by 2030, solidifying Belgium’s advanced air combat presence in Europe. In parallel, some of Belgium’s retired F-16 fighters are being transferred to Ukraine to support its defense against Russia’s ongoing aggression.
