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2w ago

Belgium’s First F-35s Arrive at Florennes as One Jet Remains Grounded in the Azores

The arrivals launch in‑country integration toward a 45‑jet fleet slated to replace F‑16s by 2028.

Image
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 95th Fighter Squadron takes off at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, on March 1, 2024. [Courtesy: U.S. Air Force]
One of the three F-35A of the Belgian Air Force lands at Florennes Air Base, Belgium, on Oct. 13, 2025. (Image credit: Belgium MOD)

Overview

  • Three of four F-35A fighters completed the transatlantic delivery on Oct. 13, while aircraft FL011 was held at Lajes over a technical airworthiness concern.
  • Belgian Air Force leaders cited a strict safety culture—“when there’s doubt, there’s no doubt”—as officials paused FL011’s onward flight.
  • The arrival ceremony at Florennes featured King Philippe and Defense Minister Theo Francken and was streamed by the Ministry of Defense.
  • The jets were ferried from the United States, with Belgian pilots and maintainers continuing training at Luke Air Force Base, where eight Belgian-marked F-35s are based.
  • Belgium originally ordered 34 F-35As and signaled intent in July to add 11 more for a planned total of 45, targeting initial operational capability in 2027 and enabling accelerated F-16 transfers to Ukraine by 2028.