Lockheed Martin, in a ceremony at its F-35 production facility along with the Belgian government formally received its first F-35A Lightning II, marking a historic moment for the Belgian Air Force and fortifying the longstanding alliance between the United States and Belgium, a pivotal NATO member. The event was attended by senior leaders from both nations, signifying the strategic importance of this acquisition.
The F-35, succeeding the venerable F-16, represents the next evolution in airpower technology, ensuring the Belgian Air Force’s capability to meet NATO commitments and safeguard key strategic interests. The rollout ceremony emphasized the F-35’s role as a 21st-century security solution, enhancing situational awareness and connectivity across domains for Belgium and its European partners.