Belgium F-35A Fleet Update
Belgium - Belgian Air Component
| Date | Oct. 13, 2025 |
| Country | Belgium |
| Force | Belgian Air Component |
| Aircraft | F-35A (F-35 Lightning II) |
| Change | +4 active, -4 ordered |
Description
On October 13, 2025, the Belgian Air Component officially received its first four F-35A Lightning II fighters at Florennes Air Base. Ferried from Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, these fifth-generation aircraft mark the start of a strategic fleet modernization to replace the aging F-16 inventory by 2028. This delivery increases Belgium’s active F-35A count by four units, reducing the remaining order backlog accordingly. The aircraft will now undergo operational evaluation and systems integration, supported by specialized infrastructure upgrades at Florennes and Kleine-Brogel. Belgium aims to achieve Initial Operational Capability (IOC) by 2027 as pilot training transitions to domestic airspace.
