Lockheed Martin has introduced the first F-35A Lightning II stealth multirole aircraft for Belgium at the company’s manufacturing facility in Fort Worth, Texas.
The fighter jet is part of a $6.53-billion foreign military sale signed in 2018 to replace the Belgian Air Force’s F-16 Fighting Falcons.
The contract ordered 34 conventional takeoff and landing F-35As, engines, and an airborne mission simulator platform.
The Belgian Air Force will receive the first aircraft in 2024. It will be initially stationed at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, where the US Department of Defense’s foreign military aircrew training is located.
Belgian Armed Forces Chief of Defense Admr. Michel Hofman said the future F-35 fleet will further enhance Brussels’ national security and interoperability with partner forces.
“The introduction of the F-35 within the Belgian Air Force will enable us to continue to fulfill all our missions in the coming decades, in cooperation with our allies and partners in NATO, the EU and beyond,” Hofman stated.
‘Expanding Belgian Industry’
Lockheed noted that the Belgian F-35 procurement supports “high-quality, long-term employment opportunities” in Brussels through the Essential Security Interest program.
The program boosts cooperation between the US and Belgian defense industry to advance the development of composite parts and other equipment related to the European country’s upcoming F-35 fleet.
“Today’s milestone would not have been possible without the strong partnership and key contributions from our close partners in the Belgian government and industry,” a statement from Lockheed said.
“Through the Essential Security Interest program, Lockheed Martin will bring cutting-edge manufacturing techniques and benefits, expanding Belgian industry’s skills and knowledge and providing high-tech jobs for Belgians for decades to come.”
Lockheed has delivered over 980 F-35s to 31 international bases, leading preparation courses for approximately 2,250 pilots and 15,125 maintainers.
The global F-35 fleet has achieved more than 768,000 flight hours.
