{"id":30363,"date":"2025-07-22T09:11:31","date_gmt":"2025-07-22T06:11:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=30363"},"modified":"2025-07-22T09:11:33","modified_gmt":"2025-07-22T06:11:33","slug":"belgium-to-expand-f-35-fleet-with-purchase-of-11-additional-stealth-fighter-jets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/belgium-to-expand-f-35-fleet-with-purchase-of-11-additional-stealth-fighter-jets\/","title":{"rendered":"Belgium to expand F-35 fleet with purchase of 11 additional stealth fighter jets"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

4 minute read<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belgium’s federal government has approved the acquisition of 11 additional F-35A fighter jets and launched a $2.6 billion defense investment plan aimed at enhancing the country’s ammunition readiness.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The decision to acquire 11 more F-35 fighter jets brings Belgium\u2019s total planned fleet to 45 aircraft, further integrating the country into NATO\u2019s next-generation air defense architecture. The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, regarded as one of the most advanced multirole fighters in the world, is capable of stealth operations, electronic warfare, and precision strike missions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The purchase was approved under the country\u2019s new strategic vision, unveiled by Defense Minister Theo Francken, following approval by the Council of Ministers. The plan underscores Belgium’s commitment to enhancing its defense posture in the wake of escalating global tensions and lessons drawn from ongoing conflicts, particularly the war in Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA very large economic return\u201d is anticipated for Belgium from the F-35 acquisition, Francken said, referring to the jets that will be manufactured in Italy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By sourcing the new jets from Italian manufacturing facilities, Belgium is also aiming to secure industrial offsets that could translate into job creation, technology transfer, and sustained aerospace sector growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Ammunition Readiness Plan 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Running parallel to the fighter jet procurement is Belgium\u2019s \u201cAmmunition Readiness Plan 2025,\u201d an ambitious initiative to resolve long-standing structural ammunition shortages. With an initial budget of $2.6 billion allocated for 2025, the plan represents one of the largest ammunition investments in Belgium\u2019s recent defense history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe war in Ukraine shows that ammunition consumption is immense, which is why we need to enter into strategic partnerships with manufacturers to keep production lines operational,\u201d Francken stated during the press briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Norway<\/a>
F-35 jets supporting NATO mission in Iceland as part of the Allied fighter deployment to Iceland in 2024. (Image Credit: Torbjorn Kjosvold\/NATO AIRCOM)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The plan is a direct response to supply gaps revealed by NATO operations and the war in Ukraine, where high-intensity warfare has consumed artillery and missile stockpiles at rates far exceeding peacetime estimates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Replenishment of weapons across armed services<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The multi-year Ammunition Readiness Plan aims to build a sustainable, diversified, and scalable ammunition supply base. It spans a wide range of munition types and weapon systems across Belgium\u2019s land, air, and naval forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the land forces, the plan includes the purchase of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n