Belgium enters the F-35 era: the first stealth fighter aircraft have arrived at Florennes
Historic turning point in Belgian Defence. The industrial impact of the programme highlighted /VIDEO

Minister of Defence confirms the timetable for the decommissioning of the F-16s, partly destined for Ukraine
A day that marks the beginning of a "strategic transformation" for the Belgian air component. At 3:00pm (local time), Florennes Air Base officially received the first four examples of the fifth-generation fighter aircraft F-35A Lightning II. The arrival, broadcast live on the Ministry of Defence's official channel, was attended by senior government officials, military leaders and representatives of the local press, marking a crucial moment for national security and the aerospace industry.
The aircraft were flown directly from the United States, where Belgian pilots and technical personnel completed a rigorous training program at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. This training phase, started already in December 2024 with the first jets destined for Belgium, was essential to create the future instructor cadre that will lead the air force transition. The entry into operational service of the F-35As is scheduled for the beginning of next year, with the goal of achieving Initial Operational Capability (IOC) by 2027. In the meantime the fighters will be used for systems integration and operational checks in a program that will lead to full fleet deployment by 2028.
Industrial and defense commitment
The acquisition of the F-35As, which replace the old fleet of F-16 aircraft, was decided by the Belgian government in 2018. The initial order of 34 aircraft was later increased to 45. The program, managed jointly by the Ministries of Defence and Economy, has required significant infrastructure investments at the Florennes and Kleine-Brogel bases to adapt hangars and maintenance systems to the sophisticated needs of stealth aircraft.
Sources from the Ministry of Economy and Labour emphasized that the program is not only an enhancement of military capabilities, but also a driver for technological innovation and the creation of highly skilled jobs, thanks to the industrial offset contracts linked to the supply.
The delivery roadmap had to overcome some challenges, including a temporary suspension caused by the withdrawal of two jets at the end of 2023 due to technical non-conformities related to software certification. Defence officials later confirmed that those issues have been resolved and that deliveries have resumed under an intensified quality-control regime, reiterating the commitment not to compromise on safety.
The F-35 program also assumes strategic timing in relation to Belgium's international commitments. With the start of the transition, the country is preparing to retire and transfer part of its F-16s to Ukraine. The Prime Minister reiterated the intention to donate up to 30 F-16s by 2028, with the first operational aircraft expected in 2026. The Executive has assured that the full operational capability of the F-35s will ensure that Belgium's air defence does not suffer delays or gaps during this delicate phase of transition and international support.
In the video below from Belgian Defence, the authorities' wait and the in-flight arrival of the new fighters:
AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency