Belgium has officially expanded its F-35 fleet with an order for 11 additional jets, bringing its total commitment to 45 advanced stealth fighters.
The €1.5 billion ($1.7 billion) investment, approved by Defence Minister Theo Francken, aligns with the country’s broader military modernization goals and NATO interoperability plans.
With eight jets already assembled and a ninth due this autumn, Belgium continues to receive deliveries from Lockheed Martin’s production line in Fort Worth, Texas.
The decision builds on Belgium’s 2018 initiative to replace its F-16s, with the full F-35 fleet expected to reach operational status by 2031.
