Lockheed Martin has unveiled the first fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter for the Belgian Air Force

Belgium ordered fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter jets in 2018. Nearly six years later, Lockheed Martin unveiled the first aircraft.

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The presentation of the F-35 Lightning II for the Belgian Air Force took place at Lockheed Martin's facility in Texas. The fifth-generation fighter will travel to Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, to train Belgian pilots.

Belgium has ordered 34 aircraft in the F-35A version with conventional takeoff and landing. The cost of the fighters, electronic warfare kits, engines and additional equipment totalled $6.5 billion.

Deliveries of the F-35A Lightning II to Belgium will begin in 2025. The fifth-generation aircraft will allow the European country to decommission the F-16AM/BM and send part of the Fighting Falcon fleet to Ukraine.

Source: Lockheed Martin