Belgium selects the F-35

As expected by many, the Belgian Defence Minister Steven Vandeput announced that his country would buy 34 F-35A Lightning IIs at a cost of between $75 to $85 million per aircraft to replace its ageing F-16s. Belgium expects to retire its remaining 54 F-16s between 2023 and 2028.

With an expected service life of at least 20 years, total lifecycle costs are likely to exceed $15 billion. The minister said that the F-35 won over the Euro fighter Typhoon on all five of Belgium’s selection criteria.