Accelerating F-16 Transfer to Ukraine: Belgium Produces Ninth F-35

The U.S. company Lockheed Martin has already produced nine F-35 fighter jets for the Belgian Air Component.

The Belgian Ministry of Defense reported that the ninth jet will be the first aircraft from the contract to be sent directly to Belgium.

“The aircraft is entering the final phase of finishing and acceptance testing. This is an important step before delivery and a significant milestone for Belgium’s defense capability,” the ministry stated.

The first eight fighter jets are currently being used in the USA for training Belgian pilots at Luke Air Force Base.

Belgian pilots are also undergoing training on simulators as part of the Simulator Subject Matter Expert course, which will later be stationed in Belgium.

Belgium signed a contract for the delivery of 34 Lightning II fighter jets in October 2018.

The initial delivery schedule envisioned shipments in batches: 4 aircraft in 2023–2027 and 2030, and 5 aircraft in 2028–2029.

The achievement of initial operational capability for the new aircraft, with the ability to conduct limited expeditionary operations, is scheduled for mid-2027, while full combat readiness is expected by the end of 2030.

The F-35A will replace the F-16 AM/BM fighter jets, which will be transferred to Ukraine.

As part of military aid, Belgium plans to transfer 30 of its F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by 2028.

Previously, former Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo stated that the timeline for delivering Belgian F-16s to Ukraine depends on the receipt of new F-35 aircraft for the Belgian Air Force.

“The faster the F-35s are delivered, the sooner we will be able to transfer the F-16s to Ukraine,” the politician emphasized.