Belgium gets approval for its remaining F-35s to be assembled in Italy

Belgium gets approval for its remaining F-35s to be assembled in Italy

Lockheed Martin has reached an agreement with Belgium covering the NATO nation’s remaining purchase of F-35A combat aircraft, with Brussels’ remaining examples to undergo final assembly in Europe.

Belgian air chief visits Luke AFB

Belgian Air Component Brig. Gen. Didier Palome, BAC director of transportation, walks down stairs after inspecting a BAC F-35A Lightning II on the flightline, April 3, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The first BAC F-35A arrived at Luke AFB in December of 2024, marking the beginning of Belgium’s transition from the F-16 Fighting Falcon to the advanced F-35A. Through international partner training, the 56th Fighter Wing plays a vital role i…

If our country were to purchase additional F-35 fighter jets, they could be produced in Italy. That was agreed Wednesday in Washington by Minister of Defence Theo Francken (N-VA) with Michael Williamson, the boss of the international branch of manufacturer Lockheed Martin.