Belgium faces airspace challenges with new F-35 fighters

Belgium has begun receiving its first F-35 fighter jets, part of a €5.6 billion order of 34 aircraft from Lockheed Martin to replace its aging F-16 fleet. Three jets arrived at Florennes Air Base on October 13, while a fourth was delayed in the Azores due to technical issues.

Belgium’s Minister of Defence, Théo Francken, told parliament that the country’s airspace is too limited for extensive F-35 training missions. He said Belgium is negotiating cooperation agreements with Italy and other partners, and noted that the North Sea provides some additional training opportunities, though these require careful coordination with civilian and military airspace users, Caliber.Az reports per Belgian media. 

The issue is not new, as Belgian F-16s have long relied on neighbouring countries for training flights. Francken highlighted that while F-35s need larger airspace, cross-border training is already standard practice for countries like Belgium, Switzerland, and the Netherlands acquiring the jets.

Noise is another concern. According to a brochure from the Ministry of Defence, F-35 engines generate nearly twice the power of F-16s, producing a heavier, pulsating sound up to five times louder, which could affect residents near air bases.

By Sabina Mammadli