First F-35 for Belgian pilots delivered to US airbase

The first F-35 fighter jet has been delivered to the US airbase Luke, where Belgian pilots will be trained.

The US Air Force said that this event marks the beginning of Belgium's transition from the F-16 to the F-35A, opening a new era for the Belgian aviation component.

«The first group of Belgian pilots is already on Luke Air Force Base, where training begins», – told in the USA.

Belgian pilots are also being trained on the Simulator Subject Matter Expert course, which will be later deployed in Belgium.

More Belgian F-35As will arrive at Luke Air Force Base over the next few months.

This will strengthen the base's role as a primary training site for U.S. allies and partners.

«The collaboration goes beyond pilot training as both countries work together to enhance operational readiness and strengthen NATO alliances», – told the US Air Force.

The first arrival of F-35A combat aircraft in Belgium is scheduled for 2025.

Belgium signed a contract for the supply of a total of 34 Lightning II fighters in October 2018.

The initial delivery schedule provided that they would be delivered in batches of 4 aircraft in 2023-2027 and 2030 and 5 in 2028-2029.

The F-35A will replace the F-16 AM/BM fighters. The new aircraft are scheduled to reach initial combat readiness with the ability to conduct limited expeditionary operations by mid-2027, and full readiness by the end of 2030.

After the F-35A ordered by Belgium begins to arrive in the operational units of the country's Air Force, the Belgian government intends to begin transferring the first F-16 fighters to Ukraine. Belgium will transfer 30 of its F-16 fighters to Ukraine as part of military assistance by 2028.