Belgium considers additional F-35 order to boost fleet
Belgium ordered 34 F-35A aircraft in 2018. (Photo: USAF / Tech. Sgt. Anthony Plyler)
The statement from Prime Minister Bart De Wever during a parliamentary session follows the country’s Easter Agreement which would see it increase defence spending to 2% of GDP by the end of 2025.
Belgium will procure more F-35 aircraft from Lockheed Martin, Prime Minister Bart De Wever disclosed during a parliamentary session on 23 April.
The decision by Belgium to purchase additional F-35 aircraft was already floated in April 2025, when Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken disclosed in an interview with Het Laatste Nieuws that he had asked the Italian Defence ministry to produce any new F-35s procured by the country in Italy and not the US.
Belgium previously ordered 34 F-35 aircraft from Lockheed Martin in 2018 at a cost of €4 billion (US$4.5 billion) to replace its ageing F-16 fleet, which
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
![Hezbollah’s fibre-optic drones expose Israel’s counter-UAV gap in southern Lebanon]()
Hezbollah’s fibre-optic drones expose Israel’s counter-UAV gap in southern Lebanon
Israel is working to close a counter-drone capability gap exposed by Hezbollah's fibre-optic systems, drawing on battlefield lessons from Ukraine to replace improvised defences with targeted solutions.
-
![NATO countries test Canadian-made, high-speed “cannibal” drone]()
NATO countries test Canadian-made, high-speed “cannibal” drone
INKAS Anuri CUAS drone has been built to engage consumer, commercial and modified first-person view enemy drones flying at speeds of up to 400 km/h.
-
![May drone digest: American loitering munition spending continues to drive market growth]()
May drone digest: American loitering munition spending continues to drive market growth
Loitering munition procurement has accelerated throughout May 2026 as militaries continue to prioritise the capability. The US has led this activity by advancing swarm-drone concepts, downselecting more drones for the Army’s LASSO programme, and awarding procurement contracts for various systems.
-
![Air forces review: Combat aircraft missile milestones hit as tanker and transport orders climb]()
Air forces review: Combat aircraft missile milestones hit as tanker and transport orders climb
As countries look to improve their combat aircraft capabilities, May has highlighted strong demand from European countries for aerial refuelling platforms as industry pushes forward next-generation missile test updates for eventual UK combat aircraft integration.
