Photo: Lockheed Martin

Belgium Receives First F-35A Lightning II at Florennes Air Base

Our Bureau - : Oct 14, 2025 - : 11:34 pm

Belgium's first F-35A Lightning II has arrived at Florennes Air Base, marking the aircraft’s official introduction into Belgian Air Force operations. Lockheed Martin participated in the arrival ceremony hosted by the Belgian Air Force. "Together with our NATO and European...

To read the full article, please log in or enter your email below:

"Together with our NATO and European allies, we're building a wall of F-35s — a shield of over 700 aircraft securing our European skies," said General Frederik Vansina, Chief of Defence of the Belgian Armed Forces. "That wall is not a symbol of aggression, but of determination. It says loud and clear: the skies over Europe belong to those who defend freedom, not to those who seek to destroy it."

"With the F-35, Belgium is reclaiming its place among the world's leading air forces, equipped with the most advanced technology, integrated within a multinational and interconnected environment," said Major General Geert De Decker, Commander of the Belgian Air Force.

"The F-35 is a testament to the power of allied air power, providing a critical advantage to all who operate it. As we've seen in recent operations on Europe's eastern flank, this aircraft is making a difference for the deterrence and defense of NATO," said Greg Ulmer, president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. "For more than 70 years, we have proudly partnered with Belgium to strengthen its national security and defense industrial base, and this milestone is a major step toward ensuring the Belgian Air Force will continue staying ahead of adversarial threats for decades to come."

The F-35 is operated by 20 allied nations, including 13 in Europe, with active operations across 16 services and more than 1,900 suppliers worldwide. The program provides interoperability, supports partnerships, and contributes to the allied defense industrial base.

Belgium has received 11 of its planned 34 F-35A aircraft. Eight are stationed at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, where Belgian pilots and maintenance personnel conduct training. In July, Belgium announced plans to procure 11 additional F-35As, which would bring the total number of aircraft to 45.

Lockheed-martin / F-35a-lightning-ii / Belgium-defence-forces /

MORE NEWS