Belgium's first three F-35s touch down in Florennes
Three F-35 fighter jets that had been ordered by Belgium touched down at Florennes Air Base on Monday. A fourth jet that was scheduled to arrive at the base was held back due to "technical uncertainty regarding its airworthiness".
Belgium ordered a total of 45 F-35s from US defence manufacturer Lockheed Martin to replace its ageing F-16s, which have been in service for over forty years.
The three F-35s flew over the air base first and landed shortly after 15:15 on Monday, where numerous military and civilian spectators and the press had gathered.
King Philippe of Belgium and Defence minister Theo Francken also attended the event. Various security measures had been implemented at the air base to prevent drone incursions.
'Technical uncertainty'
Four Belgian F-35s initially departed last week from Fort Worth in the US state of Texas, where Lockheed Martin manufactures the fighter jets. After a stopover in the Azores, three of the four aircraft took off again for the final leg to Florennes.
One aircraft remained in the Azores due to "technical uncertainty regarding its airworthiness", according to the ministry of Defence.
According to Air Force Commander Major General Geert De Decker, the decision to keep the aircraft on the ground highlights the ministry of defence's focus on safety.
8 jets stationed in US
The aircraft that landed on Monday are not the first of those ordered by Belgium. Eight F-35s bearing the Belgian flag are already stationed at Luke Air Force Base in the US, where they will remain while Belgian fighter pilots undergo conversion training.
By acquiring the F-35, Belgium is obtaining a fifth-generation fighter jet capable of performing several missions in a single flight.
© BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM
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