the Belgian government is preparing to finalize a strategic order for 21 additional F-35A fighter aircraft, bringing its total fleet to 55 units. This move is part of a broader €36 billion investment plan aimed at modernizing the country’s armed forces by 2035. Scheduled ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague, the decision is intended to demonstrate Belgium’s commitment to meeting Alliance standards, particularly the target of allocating 2% of GDP to defense spending, amid growing geopolitical tensions with Russia.
The initial order of 34 F-35As, signed in 2018 to replace the aging F-16 fleet, now marks a full transition to a fifth-generation fighter capability. The F-35A is a multirole stealth aircraft with conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) capabilities, designed for missions such as air superiority, precision strikes, reconnaissance, close air support, and electronic warfare. It is powered by a Pratt & Whitney F135 engine producing up to 43,000 pounds of thrust, enabling speeds up to Mach 1.6 and altitudes exceeding 15,000 meters, with an operational range of 2,220 km. Its stealth design and integrated weapon systems allow it to operate in contested environments with reduced detection risk.