“Belgium has begun to receive the first fifth generation fighters of the F-35, which will allow it to gradually remove the F-16 aircraft from its aerial forces and transfer them to Ukraine. About it reports Defense Express. The new F-35, which Belgium has been waiting for seven years, has already arrived in Floren’s airbase and will arrive at the 1st squadron. Expected to be ready for fast operations”, – WRITE ON: ua.news
Belgium has begun to receive the first fifth generation fighters of the F-35, which will allow it to gradually remove the F-16 aircraft from its aerial forces and transfer them to Ukraine.
About it reports Defense Express.
The new F-35, which Belgium has been waiting for seven years, has already arrived in Floren’s airbase and will arrive at the 1st squadron. They are expected to be ready for rapid response operations by 2027. At the same time, Belgium will keep its F-16 in the range until 2028, when they are completely replaced by F-35 fighters.
Old fighters will gradually be removed from the country’s air forces, after which they will be sent to Ukraine. The Defense Express suggests that the first Belgian F-16 can come to Ukraine as early as 2026, which will significantly strengthen the Ukrainian Air Park and provide additional departments to defenders.
The first F-35, intended for the transfer of Belgium, was released from the plant in early June this year, and the first party, which was transferred to the Belgians, consists of four aircraft. In total, Belgium ordered 34 F-35A, signing a contract seven years ago, in October 2018. Recently, the country has decided that this would not be enough and plans to order more than 11 more units.
In the near future, Ukraine will receive Swedish Gripen fighters, as well as additional F-16 aircraft and French Mirage.
Ukraine received the first American F-16 fighters in August 2024.
