Belgian Air Force takes delivery of its first F-35A Lightning II fighter jet

The delivery is the first step in equipping Belgium’s 312th Fighter Squadron, established in June 2023. This unit is tasked with training Belgian Air Force personnel in the United States, and it will eventually operate four F-35A aircraft from Luke Air Force Base for an extended period.

Our first #F35 has just landed at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, in the United States 🇺🇸! This is an important milestone in the development of our new fighter capability, which is crucial for the defence of our airspace and our contribution to collective security within #NATO. pic.twitter.com/MTHibb50Se

— Belgian Air Force🇧🇪 (@BeAirForce) December 4, 2024

Luke Air Force Base will be the last site for national F-35A training units due to capacity constraints. Future international training will shift to Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas, with the Polish Air Force expected to be the first to utilise the new facility, followed by other nations such as Finland, Germany, and the Czech Republic.

Belgium has procured 34 F-35A Lightning II jets through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme. While the aircraft will initially be stationed in the United States, deliveries to Belgium are set to begin in 2025 at Florennes Air Base. The Belgian Air Force plans to operate the aircraft from two bases: Florennes and Kleine-Brogel, with the latter reaching operational readiness by 2027.

The decision to select the F-35A Lightning II was made in 2018, driven in part by Belgium’s commitment to collaboration with allied nations. This includes a joint effort with the Netherlands to secure the airspace over the Benelux region. Currently, the Belgian Air Force relies on the Lockheed Martin F-16AM/BM Fighting Falcon, which continues to perform local and allied missions.

Brigadier General Thierry Dupont, commander of the Belgian Air Component, emphasised the importance of this step. He stated, “The F-35 is not just a fighter jet; it’s a strategic asset that will integrate seamlessly with our allies and secure Belgium’s defence capabilities for decades to come.”