Belgium to retire first F-16 Fighting Falcon in summer ahead of F-35 Lightning II

Belgium prepares to replace fourth-generation F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters with fifth-generation F-35 aircraft

Very soon, Brussels will retire the first F-16 as part of the fleet renewal.

What is known

Now the Belgian Ministry of Defense has54 fourth generation fighters. The first aircraft will be taken out of service in the summer of 2023. The rest will be decommissioned within five years.

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First F-35 Lightning II fighter coming soonwill travel to Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix. There, American specialists will train Belgian pilots and mechanics. Lockheed Martin is to deliver all Lightning II aircraft to the Belgian Air Force by 2028.