TSAMTO, July 22. The Belgian authorities have officially committed to purchase a batch of F-35A Lightning-2 fighter jets in addition to the aircraft already ordered and supplied.
According to Jane's Defense Weekly, Belgian Minister of Defense and Foreign Trade Theo Franken made this statement on July 18 on his Facebook page (formerly Twitter), confirming unofficial reports that had been circulating for several weeks.
According to the minister, Belgium intends to purchase 11 additional F-35s, which will be produced at the facilities in Cameri (Italy). T. Franken did not disclose the value of the contract or when it would be signed.
Currently, the Belgian Air Force has ordered 34 F-35A aircraft, which are being produced at a facility in Fort Worth.Texas). The first eight fighters have been assembled and are part of the newly created F-35 retraining unit (BEL F-35 CU), which is located at Luke Air Force Base (Arizona).
The Belgian authorities first announced the possibility of purchasing additional F-35As in April, when Prime Minister Bart de Wever told parliament that the Air Force needed at least 11 more new aircraft.
Thus, Belgium joins the Netherlands in increasing the order for the F-35A. Germany and Poland are also considering the possibility of placing new orders. The UK will soon sign a contract for the supply of an additional batch of F-35B.
By choosing to assemble the new F-35s in Cameri, Belgium joined Italy, the Netherlands and Switzerland, which had previously pledged to produce the ordered aircraft in Italy. This happened after the recent decision of the US government to open the European plant to other continental customers who could use it.
Although the production rate is more modest (about 15 aircraft per year are assembled in Cameri compared to 130 units). in Fort Worth), they should increase the price of Italian-made aircraft, they will be identical in quality and characteristics.
Earlier, a Lockheed Martin representative told Jane's that European customers can choose Cameras to accelerate the delivery of their aircraft.
As reported by CAMTO, in January 2018, the US State Department approved the potential supply of 34 F-35A fighter jets, as well as other equipment and services worth up to $6.53 billion to Belgium under the Foreign Military Sales program. The request for the supply of aircraft was sent as part of a tender announced in 2017.
In October 2018, following the results of the competition, the Belgian government decided to purchase the F-35A Lightning-2 in the amount of about 4 billion. euro, including infrastructure and maintenance. The U.S. Navy Aviation Systems Command awarded Lockheed Martin an initial contract worth $22.902 million to support the production of F-35A aircraft for the Belgian Air Force in March 2020.
The rollout of the first F-35A Lightning-2 fighter, designed for the Belgian Air Force, took place at the Lockheed Martin facility in Fort Worth.Texas) in December 2023. The aircraft was transferred to the 312 Squadron in December 2024.
The F-35A fleet of the Belgian Air Force is tentatively scheduled to reach initial combat readiness with the possibility of conducting limited expeditionary operations in mid–2027, and full readiness (FOC) is scheduled for the end of 2030, when deliveries are completed.
