Belgium Launches Exciting Era with Debut of Revolutionary F-35A Multirole Fighter Jet Celebration!

Lockheed Martin [LMT] presented Belgium’s first F-35A Lightning II to the Belgian government during a rollout event at its F-35 production facility. This event marks a significant milestone in the history of the Belgian Air Force and strengthens the partnership between the United States and Belgium, a crucial NATO ally.

“The integration of the F-35 within the Belgian Air Force enables us to fulfill all our missions in the coming decades, in conjunction with our partners in NATO, the EU, and beyond,” expressed Chief of Defense for the Belgian Armed Forces, Admiral Michel Hofman.

Building upon the impressive lineage of the F-16, the F-35 will bring forth the next generation of aerial capabilities, ensuring the Belgian Air Force achieves its NATO objectives and protects the alliance’s essential interests. As the most advanced security solution of the 21st Century, the F-35 will unify assets across various domains to improve situational awareness for Belgium and its important European partners.

“We congratulate Belgium on this extraordinary achievement,” noted Lt. Gen. Mike Schmidt, program executive officer for the F-35 Joint Program Office. “The proliferation of the F-35 in Europe boosts global partnerships, interoperability, and combat readiness; and emphasizes the vital role the aircraft plays as a deterrent against emerging threats.”

“With its unmatched capabilities, connectivity, and interoperability, the 5th Generation F-35 will empower the Belgian Air Force to stay ahead of potential risks for many years to come,” remarked Greg Ulmer, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. “The success of today’s event would not have been possible without the strong collaboration and significant input from our dedicated allies in the Belgian government and industry.”

Senior officials from both the Belgian and U.S. governments and military attended the occasion. Belgium’s program includes a total of 34 F-35As. The first aircraft, designated AY-01, is expected to be handed over to the Belgian Air Force next year and will be based at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, where international F-35 pilot and maintainer training takes place.

The F-35 program also creates high-quality, sustainable job opportunities for Belgium. Through the Essential Security Interest (ESI) initiative, Lockheed Martin will implement cutting-edge manufacturing techniques and advantages, enhancing the skills and knowledge of the Belgian industry while providing high-tech employment opportunities for Belgians in the decades to come.

F-35s currently operate at 31 bases around the globe. To date, Lockheed Martin has delivered over 980 F-35s, trained more than 2,250 pilots, and 15,125 maintainers, with the F-35 fleet surpassing 768,000 cumulative flight hours. Lockheed Martin remains committed to working closely with F-35 operators to ensure allies stay ahead of evolving security challenges.