Rollout of the first F-35A of the Belgian Air Force

On December 10, 2023 Belgium celebrated the official unveiling of its new fighter aircraft, the F-35A ‘Lightning II’, in Fort Worth, Texas.

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Yesterday, we presented @BeAirForce with its first F-35 Lightning II. The F-35 will ensure Belgian national security for decades to come. pic.twitter.com/zQBB8pObYm

— Lockheed Martin (@LockheedMartin) December 11, 2023

After a little more than a year and a half of production, the first Belgian F-35 with initial number FL-001, is ready. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, Chief of Defense Admiral Michel Hofman and Air Component Commander Major General Pilot Thierry Dupont.

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«The introduction of the F-35 within the Belgian Air Force will enable us to continue to fulfil all our missions in the coming decades, in cooperation with our allies and partners in NATO, the EU and beyond,» said Chief of Defense for the Belgian Armed Forces, Admiral Michel Hofman.

The first aircraft, named AY-01, will be delivered to the Belgian Air Force next year and will be based at Luke Air Force Base (Arizona). Seven other aircraft will follow during 2024 and will form the Belgian-U.S. 312 «Scorpion» unit, specifically to train Belgian pilots and technicians.

The F-35 is considered by the Belgian Armed Forces as a state-of-the-art fighter aircraft, essential to ensure the country’s security and crucial for future missions in cooperation with NATO and EU Air Forces.

To replace part of its F-16 MLU fleet, in 2018 the Belgian Ministry of Defense selected the F-35A, of which 34 units were acquired. Despite delays in the TR-3 software upgrade causing tensions between Belgian authorities and the builder, Lockheed Martin, the long-term schedule for induction of the new stealth fighters is not expected to be affected. Initial Operational Capability will be sought in 2027 and Full Operational Capability during 2030.