{"id":158958,"date":"2026-09-27T19:01:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-27T13:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=158958"},"modified":"2026-09-27T15:14:23","modified_gmt":"2026-09-27T09:44:23","slug":"belgium-takes-delivery-of-three-more-f-35-fighter-jets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/27\/belgium-takes-delivery-of-three-more-f-35-fighter-jets\/","title":{"rendered":"Belgium Takes Delivery of Three More F-35 Fighter Jets"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

FLORENNES\u2014<\/strong> Belgium has received three additional Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II<\/a> fighters at Florennes Air Base, expanding its in-country fifth-generation fleet to seven aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The arrival marks another stage in the Belgian Air Force\u2019s transition from the F-16 Fighting Falcon<\/a> to the F-35A and could facilitate the first transfer of Belgian F-16s to Ukraine in 2026. The three aircraft arrived after departing the United States on September 15 and transiting through the Azores before reaching Belgium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Florennes Air Base does not have an IATA airport code; its aviation identifier is EBFS, while the Belgian Air Force is a military operator rather than an IATA-designated airline. The latest arrivals bring the number of Belgian F-35As based domestically to seven, while eight additional aircraft remain in the United States for pilot and maintenance training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Belgium
Photo: US Air Force in Europe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Belgium Adds F-35 Fleet Grows<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Belgium<\/a> selected the F-35A in 2018 and has an existing program of record for 34 aircraft. The first three F-35As reached Florennes in October 2025, establishing the type at the Belgian base and beginning the country\u2019s transition toward a fifth-generation fighter fleet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the latest deliveries, 15 Belgian F-35As have been manufactured or delivered into the training and operational pipeline: seven are now in Belgium, and eight are stationed at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S.-based aircraft support the training of Belgian pilots and technicians before they transition to operations in Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belgian Defence expects the F-35 force to reach full operational capability by 2030. The service also plans to establish F-35 operations at Kleine-Brogel in 2027, expanding the infrastructure available for the new fighter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Photo: United States Armed Forces<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

F-16 Transfer To Ukraine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The arrival of additional F-35s is significant because Belgium has linked the retirement of its F-16s to the introduction of their replacements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under an updated plan reported in Belgian media and confirmed by the defense minister\u2019s office, Belgium intends to transfer 53 F-16s to Ukraine<\/a> through 2029.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reported schedule calls for seven aircraft to be transferred in 2026, followed by five in 2027, 14 in 2028, and 27 in 2029.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Four of the aircraft allocated for the initial transfer have already been withdrawn from Belgian operational service and are being used to support Ukrainian maintenance training, Defense News<\/a> flagged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"F-35
Photo: By Dane Wiedmann – https:\/\/www.dvidshub.net\/image\/8659361\/agm-158-flight-testing-begins-f-35c, Public Domain, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=156424932<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

F-35 Replaces Belgian F-16s<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Belgium\u2019s F-16 transition is taking place as the country continues to operate its older fourth-generation fighters while introducing the F-35A. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The newer aircraft is designed to combine stealth, advanced sensors and networked combat capabilities, providing Belgium with a different operational platform for its future fighter force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The latest F-35 delivery therefore does more than increase Belgium\u2019s fifth-generation fleet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It also provides additional capacity for the gradual retirement and transfer of F-16s, although the timing of individual Ukrainian deliveries remains linked to Belgian operational requirements and the pace of the F-35 transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join us on\u00a0Telegram Group\u00a0<\/a>for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on\u00a0Google News<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Canada\u2019s 1st Most Advanced Fighter Jet in the World Operates First Flight<\/a><\/blockquote>