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Key Points: Belgium’s integration of the F-35A Lightning II into its Air Component marks a new era in the nation’s defense capabilities.

-The third F-35A (AY-03) recently completed its inaugural flight, while Belgian pilots began training at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona.

-Belgium plans to acquire 34 F-35s, replacing its aging F-16s by 2030. These aircraft will feature the Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) upgrade, enabling future enhancements under the Block 4 configuration.

-Belgian F-35s will join NATO allies like Denmark and the Netherlands, supporting air policing and other alliance missions, while surplus F-16s will bolster Ukraine’s defense.

Belgian Pilots Begin Training on Advanced F-35 Lightning II Fighters

Earlier this year, Belgium’s third F-35A, designated AY-03, made its inaugural flight, taking off and returning to Lockheed Martin’s facility in Fort Worth, Texas. The aircraft was adorned with a slightly muted black, yellow, red Belgian national flag and similarly colored roundels. It followed the example of Danish and Polish F-35s, which also featured more subdued or low-visibility national markings.

It was the latest milestone for the fifth-generation stealth fighter – and more than 1,000 have been delivered to the U.S. military and its allies and partners worldwide.

Belgium pilots have now arrived at Luke Air Force Base (AFB), Arizona, and will be training on the fifth-generation aircraft.

“It’s a historic day for the Belgian Air Component,” said Belgian Air Component Lt. Col. Pierre-Yves Libert, 312th Fighter Squadron senior national representative. “Our first jet just landed at Luke AFB, marking the start of our training period. A lot of work has gone into making this moment possible and we are excited to begin flying and complete our training.”

The Benelux nation’s program of record for the multirole F-35 calls for 34 of the aircraft, with additional Lightning IIs arriving at Luke AFB in the coming months. Though production and delivery of the aircraft have been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Brussels is expected to receive its full order of F-35s by 2030.

Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom are already among the NATO members that operate the fifth-generation fighter. Finland, Germany, Greece, and Poland have also ordered jets. Lockheed Martin expects Europe to have about 500 F-35s by the decade’s end.

F-35 Lightning II demonstration team members sprint to their positions during the ground show at the Defenders of Liberty Air & Space Show at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., May 17, 2019. The team’s ground show consists of pre-flight inspections with sharp, quick-paced movements that showcase the pride and professionalism of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexander Cook)

Multiple NATO allies are now integrating their F-35s into the alliance’s air policing missions, and that includes the Royal Netherlands Air Force, which began to carry out the flights earlier this year.

In With the New

The first Belgian F-35 rolled off the assembly line on December 10, 2023. The first aircraft, designated AY-01, has undergone significant testing. The first operational F-35s are now set to arrive at Florennes Air Base sometime next year, while a second squadron will be based out of Kleine-Brogel beginning in 2027.

As the fifth-gen fighters arrive in Europe, the Belgian Air Force will retire its aging F-16 Fighting Falcons, which it first adopted in 1979. The Lockheed Martin aircraft was selected over other options, notably the Eurofighter Typhoon.

Antwerp has announced it will send a number of its upgraded F-16s to aid Ukraine’s war effort. It was nearly a year ago that Washington gave the green light for Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway to provide the Fighting Falcon to Ukraine. Combined, the NATO alliance members pledged to provide at least 79 of the multirole fighters. The first of the upgraded fourth-generation aircraft arrived earlier this year.

The Most Capable F-35s

Before any of Belgium’s Lightning II actually travel to Europe, each aircraft will be upgraded with the Technology Refresh 3 configuration, an essential step for future enhancements to the fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter.

TR-3 includes both hardware and software enhancements and has been described as a major component for the even more extensive update to the F-35, its “Block 4” version that would add several dozen new capabilities. There had been a delay in completing the TR-3 refresh, but earlier this year, the Pentagon agreed to accept F-35s with a “truncated” version of the upgrade. That allowed Lockheed Martin to resume deliveries – including to U.S. partners.

Belgium was among the countries that had to wait a little longer for its F-35s, but the program is reported to be on track, with aircraft being delivered to clients faster than ever.

An F-35A Lightning II from the 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, flies behind a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 117th Air Refueling Squadron, Forbes Field Air National Guard Base, Kansas, over the Indo-Pacific, March 10, 2022. Aircrews routinely fly missions aimed at sharpening the necessary skills needed to respond to emerging situations at a moment’s notice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Yosselin Perla)

An F-35A Lightning II from the 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, flies behind a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 117th Air Refueling Squadron, Forbes Field Air National Guard Base, Kansas, over the Indo-Pacific, March 10, 2022. Aircrews routinely fly missions aimed at sharpening the necessary skills needed to respond to emerging situations at a moment’s notice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Yosselin Perla)

About the Author: Peter Suciu 

Peter Suciu is a Senior Editor focusing on defense issues for 19FortyFive. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,500 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on X: @PeterSuciu – and on Bluesky: @petersuciu.bsky.social.