Belgium’s Defence Minister Theo Francken (N-VA) announced that his strategic plan will be reviewed by the core cabinet on Thursday, with hopes for a decision on purchasing additional F-35 aircraft.
In 2018, the government led by then-Prime Minister Charles Michel ordered 34 F-35s from the US manufacturer Lockheed Martin as replacements for the ageing fleet of F-16s.
Francken highlights that the acquisition of additional aircraft is part of the coalition agreement and aligns with regional plans and NATO expectations.
The N-VA Minister has previously expressed his desire to order 21 more aircraft, bringing the combat fleet to 55, matching the current count of F-16s. However, consensus with other coalition parties is yet to be reached.
Media reports indicate that Francken’s strategic multi-year plan includes provisions for defence purchases totalling €36 billion by 2035. This includes a third frigate, air defence systems, additional Sky Guardian drones, and €4 billion in cybersecurity investments.
The strategic vision document will be discussed during the core cabinet meeting on Thursday, with Francken hopeful for a decision ahead of next week’s NATO summit in The Hague.
