As part of its air force modernization efforts and interoperability with NATO allies, Belgium’s first F-35 aircraft landed at Luke Air Force Base (AFB) in the US.
The Arizona-based AFB is a specialized F-35 training facility for the US and foreign partners and will be where Belgian forces will undergo training under the 312th Fighter Squadron.
More Belgian F-35A Lightning IIs will be arriving in the coming months.
“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.”
Brussels first announced its acquisition of 34 Lockheed Martin F-35s in 2018 as a replacement for its F-16 Fighting Falcons, operational in the country’s air force since 1979.
Lockheed Martin unveiled the European country’s first F-35 in December 2023.
Meanwhile, Belgium anticipates the delivery of its complete fleet by 2030, when the US defense manufacturer expects Europe to operate more than 500 F-35 aircraft.
