Belgium weighs more F‑35s amid shifting trust in U.S. ties
Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken admitted that F-35 fighter jets are essential for the security of his country and all of Europe. However, any potential purchase of additional units will depend on the concessions the U.S. is ready to make.
In 2018, the Belgian authorities ordered 34 F-35 fighter jets. Currently, the aircraft are in production. Several units have already been completed, and as a result, training for Belgian pilots has started at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona.
Belgium considering additional F-35s
In an interview with the newspaper "Het Laatste Nieuws," Theo Francken mentioned that he has already approached his Italian counterpart about whether the additional F-35 fighter jets that Belgium might decide to order could be produced not in the U.S., but rather in Italy. This concerns the Cameri military center, where an assembly line for Italian and Dutch F-35s is already located.
"I asked the Italian defense minister if we could produce them in Italy rather than in the U.S., which would also create additional European jobs," Francken said, as quoted by the Belgian newspaper.
Belgium losing trust in the U.S
The French portal Opex360 reminds that Belgium's order for the F-35 stems from the need for aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons (derived from NATO's nuclear plans). It also notes that this takes on added significance after recent moves by the Trump administration, which have raised many concerns among European NATO members.
"If President Trump decides tomorrow to withdraw American nuclear weapons from Europe, and the threat from Russia persists, we will have to adapt," Francken assessed.
Donald Trump's behavior has dented trust in purchases from the U.S. Some countries are considering steps far more radical than Belgium. For instance, the Canadian government has begun the process of reviewing the contract for 88 ordered F-35 fighters, and the Portuguese authorities have admitted that in thinking about replacing their F-16 fleet, they are "analyzing all options, among which the F-35 is no longer the favorite."
Belgium opted for the conventional version of this fighter, the F-35A, for its air force. This single-seat multirole fighter, besides the capability of carrying nuclear weapons, also features stealth technology (reduced radar visibility in flight). According to unofficial information, the additional order placed by the Belgian authorities could include 14 more units.
