Delays in TR-3 software pushes out Belgian F-35A delivery timeline
Belgium chose the F-35A over the Eurofighter Typhoon for the replacement programme of its F-16 fleet in 2018. (Photo: Belgian Air Force Twitter)
Lockheed Martin is set to complete the assembly of the first two F-35A for the Belgian Air Force by the end of this year, but Belgium will not accept them due to delays in the introduction of Technology Refresher 3 (TR-3) software, Lockheed Martin told Shephard.
Belgium's request to purchase 34 F-35As, including four spare Pratt & Whitney engines, was approved by the US State Department in January 2018. The estimated cost of the FMS acquisition is $6.53 billion.
Belgium had chosen the F-35A over the Eurofighter Typhoon for the replacement programme of its F-16 fleet.
The F-35A Lightning
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
What might next-generation military aircrew training look like?
Changing roles for combat aircraft fleets, the rise of simulation and LVC technologies, and the increasing cost of flight hours could all be leading to a paradigm shift in military pilot training.
-
2025 air market review: European defence independence, next-gen tech and export concerns dominate
This year’s (geo)political turmoil has challenged many long-prevailing assumptions, leading to far-reaching consequences for air forces and their supplier bases in industry worldwide – with five key trends in review for 2025.
-
Leonardo signs contract on Austria’s M-346 aircraft order
The first of the 12 M-346 aircraft are expected to be delivered to the Austrian Air Force by 2028, according to the company.