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Belgium F-35A Arrival Strengthens NATO Air Power
Belgium took delivery of its first F-35A Lightning II at Florennes on October 14, 2025, marking a major step in modernising the Belgian Air Force.
The Belgium F-35A — a Lockheed Martin-built F-35A Lightning II with tail number FA-001 — arrived at Florennes Air Base on October 14, 2025. The handover was attended by senior Belgian and U.S. officials and is the first aircraft delivered under Belgium’s 2018 procurement of 34 jets to replace ageing F-16s.
What the Belgium F-35A brings to NATO
The new F-35A is designed to improve NATO interoperability and national air defence capabilities. As a stealthy, fifth-generation multirole fighter, it offers advanced sensors and networking that are intended to work seamlessly with allied systems — a capability Belgium highlighted during the delivery ceremony.
Belgium’s order of 34 F-35As is a direct replacement plan for the country’s fleet of F-16s. Lockheed Martin remains the prime contractor for the Lightning II program; the Belgian Air Force will integrate the jets into its squadrons at Florennes and other facilities over the coming years as training and infrastructure updates continue.
- First delivery: Belgium F-35A FA-001, delivered October 14, 2025, at Florennes Air Base.
- Order background: 34 F-35As ordered in 2018 to replace F-16s.
- Manufacturer & operator: Lockheed Martin and the Belgian Air Force.
Operational details, squadron timelines and full capability roll-out were not disclosed at the ceremony; Belgium and its NATO partners will phase in the jets as pilots complete training and ground infrastructure reaches required standards. For now, FA-001 is a symbolic and practical milestone in Belgium’s multi-year modernisation plan.
