| Belgian Air Force | |
|---|---|
| |
 Logo of the Air and Space forces | |
| Founded | 1909 |
| Country |  Belgium |
| Type | Air force |
| Role | Aerial warfare |
| Size | 4,816 (2022) 113 aircraft and UAVs |
| Part of | Belgian Armed Forces |
| March | March of the air forces |
| Website | www.mil.be |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Major General Geert De Decker |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel |  |
| Fin flash |  |
| Ensign |  |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | F-16A,F-35A |
| Helicopter | AW109BA,NH90 |
| Trainer | F-16B,SF.260 |
| Transport | A400M Atlas,Dassault Falcon 7X |
| Tanker | A330 MRTT (NATO MRTT unit) |
TheBelgian Air Force (Dutch:Luchtmacht,French:Forces Aériennes) is theair arm of theBelgian Armed Forces.[1][2] Between January 2002 and July 2024 it was known asBelgian Air Component (Dutch:Luchtcomponent;French:Composante air). It was founded in 1909 and is one of the world's oldest air services.
The commander isMajor General Geert De Decker, appointed on 20 March 2025.[3]
The Belgian Air Force was founded in 1909 as a branch of theBelgian Army, carrying the nameCompagnie des Ouvriers et Aérostiers.[4]King Albert's interest in the military use of aircraft was the main impetus for its formation. Coincidentally, in the civil aviation sector,BaronPierre de Caters earned the first civil pilot's brevet that same year. De Caters would promptly establish an aviation school. At approximately the same time, the War Ministry followed the French military's example and had pilots earn a civil pilot'sbrevet before their military one.[5]
In 1910, three Belgian lieutenants earned their pilot's brevets at the school, paying their own fees. Two of the artillery lieutenants were Baudouin Montens d'Oosterwyck, who earned Brevet No. 19 on 30 September, and Alfred Sarteel, granted No. 23 on 10 November. The third lieutenant, Georges Nelis, was the new force's first aviation candidate, gaining Brevet No. 28 on 21 December. An aircraft was personally purchased for him.[5]
In spring of 1911, the new air force established its military aviation school with five pilots, two mechanics, and a woodworker. It received its first aircraft via Baron Caters, who gave the aircraft to King Albert, who in turn presented it to the school.[5]
On 12 September 1912, pilot Lieutenant Nelis and observerSous Lieutenant Stellingwerff were the first Europeans to fire amachine gun from an aircraft; while Nelis brought the aircraft low, Stellingwerff put some bullets through a sheet staked out on the ground. They were disciplined for their efforts. Nelis then accompaniedCapitaine Commandant Émile Mathieu to England during November 1913 to demonstrate aerial use of theLewis machine gun atHendon andAldershot; as a result, the British adopted the Lewis, although the Belgians did not. Belgium entered World War I with aircraft tasked solely for reconnaissance missions.[6]
By the time of Belgium's entry into the First World War on 4 August 1914, the military aviation branch, now called theAviation Militaire Belge (Belgische militaire luchtvaart), consisted of four squadrons, each consisting of four 80-horsepowerFarman aircraft, althoughEscadrilles III and IV were still forming. A truck was assigned to each squadron, along with a fifth truck serving as a mobile workshop. Each squadron had a commander, five pilots, and six observers, with all officers seconded from parent units. As a result, most of the new aviators were from the Engineers and Artillery components of the Belgian armed forces. As the war began, a fifth squadron was created, staffed with civilian pilots called to the colors and equipped withBleriots.[7]
Sous Lieutenant Henri Crombez flew one of the first war patrols, in aDeperdussin racer on 4 August 1914 above Liège.[8] Adjutant Behaeghe was the first to engage an enemy, a few days later. On 26 September, the Belgian air crew ofSous Lieutenant de Petrowski and Sergeant Benselin mortally wounded a German pilot with a rifle bullet and forced hisTaube to land atBerchem-Sainte-Agathe; if they had submitted a claim for this victory, its approval would have marked history's first air-to-air combat victory.[9]
On 3 January 1915, two machine guns supplied by British were fitted to two Belgian aircraft, making a dual effort against the foe possible; these were Belgium's first dedicated fighter planes. In February, thirteen of the Belgian airmen flew 28 offensive patrols; their first dogfight was fought on the 26th, with tenAlbatroses against three Belgian Farmans. On 26 March,Sous Lieutenant Boschmans sent a German two-seater into a steep dive when he seemed to hit the pilot; the German was not seen to either crash or land. This was the Belgian aviators' first victory claim.[10]
In April, LieutenantFernand Jacquet mounted a machine gun on hispusher aircraft and sought out the enemy. On the 17th, he and his observer (Lieutenant Henri Vindevoghel) scored Belgium's first confirmed aerial victory, sending an Albatros reconnaissance aircraft down in flames overRoeselare. Apparently at about the same time, AdjutantJosé Orta andSous LieutenantLouis de Burlet were the first to attack an enemyobservation balloon when they dropped three small bombs on a gasbag overHouthulst, however they either did not hit, or failed to explode.[10]
On 18 January 1916, the decision was made to form a dedicated fighter squadron. On 22 February 1916, Escadrille I became the1ère Escadrille de Chasse. It consisted of newly suppliedNieuport 10s and one obsolete Farman two-seater. In August, the new squadron would upgrade toNieuport 11s, andEscadrille V was turned into the5ème Escadrille de Chasse. The new unit was the first to mount an offensive formation for the new air force; on 15 February 1917, they flew an offensive patrol of seven. By this time, the AMB had grown to 44 aircraft, including 21 fighters. At this point, individual aircraft bore personal markings affixed by their pilots, but no unit designations.[11]
In the summer of 1917, the AMB was allotted an active role in Allied aviation operations at the beginning of theThird Battle of Ypres. In March 1918, the AMB matured into aGroupe de Chasse. At this time, the role of theEscadrilles de Chasse was finally focused on their operation strictly as fighter units. There was a sorting out of pilots into fighter or reconnaissance roles. Not all fighter pilots went into the new fighter units; as of 1 May, 22 remained with reconnaissance units to fly escort missions. The King insisted that Jacquet be given the command of the Group. The newly organized fighter wing contained the two fighter escadrilles; however,1ère Escadrille de Chasse became9ème Escadrille de Chasse, and5ème Escadrille de Chasse became10ème Escadrille de Chasse. The11ème Escadrille de Chasse was founded on 28 May to join them. By the start of the Allies final offensive in September 1918, the AMB was incorporated in the Allied aviation effort, and could send 40-plus aircraft into the air at one time. In its short span of service, the Groupe fought over 700 aerial combats and was credited with 71 confirmed and 50 probable victories.[12]
In June 1916 the nascent air force had received newer aircraft from the French in both single and double-seat versions of theNieuport 10. The Belgians would continue to upgrade their aircraft throughout the war, though through their dependence on French manufacturers they became the stepchildren of the Allied effort from 1916 onwards.[13] The introduction dates of various types, compared to the date of their acquisition by the Belgians, tells the tale. The Belgians gotNieuport 16s at the end of 1916. TheNieuport 17 came into service with the French as early as June 1916, but the Belgians received so few that in June 1917 they were still operating all their earlier Nieuports. They then contracted for newerNieuport 23s, which were basically up-engined Nieuport 17s.Spad VIIs had entered French service on 2 September 1916; the Belgians first received them almost an entire year later, with the first one on board on 22 August 1917. In September 1917, Belgium had theHanriot HD.1 supplied to it the year after it was introduced.Spad XIIIs also came on line that month, but would not show up in Belgian inventory until the next year.Sopwith Camels first went into service in May 1917 and the AMB received its first one on 29 November 1917.[14]
The AMB did make one attempt to design and build its own aircraft. However the Ponnier M1 was not good enough for production, and the ten or so manufactured ended up with clipped wings as powered "Penguin" rollers for training rookie pilots.[15]
One of itsflying ace pilots,Willy Coppens, became the top rankingballoon buster of World War I, as well as one of the war's top aces. Four other pilots from the tiny force also became aces with it:Andre de Meulemeester,[16]Edmond Thieffry,[17]Jan Olieslagers,[18] andFernand Jacquet.[19]
The fledgling air force was entrusted with flying bothKing Albert andQueen Elisabeth over the battle front at times.[20]
During theinterwar period, the Belgian Army Air Force flew theBreguet 19. Some efforts were made to acquire aircraft from local production, such as those byStampe et Vertongen andRenard. They also evaluated native designs like theACAZ C.2 andLACAB GR.8, none of which entered mass production however.[citation needed]
At the start of World War II, the Army Air Force had three active Air Force Regiments. Aircraft which were used by those regiments were theRenard R-31 andR-32, theFiat CR.42 Falco, theHawker Hurricane, theGloster Gladiator, theFairey Fox, and theFairey Battle. These were massacred by the much superior German Luftwaffe in the German invasion of May 1940. Before the outbreak of the war Belgium also sought to equip theAviation Militaire with foreign designs, ordering production licences inPoland andFrance and aircraft in the USA. However, the acquired licences could not be used until May 1940 and the aircraft produced in the USA were eventually delivered toFrance and to theUnited Kingdom.[citation needed]
After the surrender of Belgium on 28 May 1940, a very small Belgian Air Force in exile was created in Great Britain as the Belgian section of theRoyal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. This small force was active within the BritishRoyal Air Force, and its squadrons were equipped with theSupermarine Spitfire andHawker Typhoon.[citation needed]
On 15 October 1946, the Belgian military aviation was turned into an autonomous force, independent of the Belgian Army. From September 1953 to 1960, the Advanced Pilots' School (Ecole de Pilotage Avancé) operated Harvards from theKamina military base in theBelgian Congo.[21] Seemingly about 60 Harvards were at the base.
.jpg)
At the beginning of the 1990s, the end of the Cold War caused the Belgian government to restructure the Belgian Armed Forces in order to cope with the changed threats. The Belgian Air Force was hit hard and saw its strength more than halved with the disbanding of the 3rd Tactical Wing in Bierset (1994); the disbanding of the 1st Fighter Wing inBeauvechain; the 9th Training Wing inSint-Truiden Air Base; and the Elementary Flying School inGoetsenhoven (1996).
In 2002, the Belgian government decided to emulateCanada and impose a "single structure" on its armed forces in which the independent Belgian Air Force ceased to exist. The Belgian Air Force consists of the2nd Tactical Wing inFlorennes Air Base and the10th Tactical Wing inKleine Brogel Air Base, both flying F-16s in four squadrons. Out of the 160 F-16s originally bought by Belgium, only 105 were upgraded; with further reductions to 72 aircraft in 2005; and planned to 60 by 2012. The1st Wing atBeauvechain Air Base is assigned for the training of pilots, using the piston-poweredAermacchi SF.260 for elementary training, and theAlpha Jet for advanced training. Advanced combat training is done on F-16's atKleine Brogel.[22] COMOPSAIR still operates theLockheedC-130 Hercules in the15th Air Transport Wing based atMelsbroek Air Base, planning to replace them by sevenAirbus A400M transport aircraft. VIPs are transported withEmbraer 135/145 jets,[23]Dassault 20/900, and theAirbus A321. TheSea King SAR helicopters were phased out in March 2019 after more than 40 years of service and replaced byNH90s (4 NFH + 4 TTH). TheAlouette III helicopters flown for the Belgian Navy in a utility-role were phased out in 2021.[24]
In 2004, as part of the unified structure, the Army Aviation units of theWing Heli were transferred to the COMOPSAIR. These contain theAgusta A109 attack helicopter, and theAlouette II training and recce helicopter.In 2005, the BelgianAlpha Jets moved to Cazaux in France to continue theInitial Operational Training, while the Advanced Jet Training was done on FrenchAlpha Jets at Tours. As from 2013 both Advanced Jet Training as well as Initial Operational Training are completed in Cazaux in France.Within the framework of its commitments within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization,NATO, Belgium has assigned its 72 F-16s to NATO purposes. Two squadrons with a total of 16 aircraft have been designated for use by theRapid Reaction Forces.In February 2008, Defense MinisterPieter De Crem announced that due to increasing problems and poor serviceability, the twoA310s were to be replaced as soon as possible by two aircraft in the same class. AnAirbus A330 was dry-leased to take their place till March 2014 where it was replaced by anAirbus A321.On 1 September 2010, theWing Heli in Bierset was disbanded and theAgusta A109 helicopters moved toBeauvechain Air Base to become1st Wing. TheSF260 squadrons became part of theBasic Flying Training School.On 24 May 2011, it was reported that the two retired Airbus A310 aircraft have been sold to theBrussels-based company MAD Africa for the amount of 700,000 euros. The company then sold them on to the Dutch Van Vliet transport company, who in their turn will transfer the aircraft to an as yet unspecifiedAbu Dhabi-based operator.[citation needed]
In January 1991, 18 Mirage 5 aircraft of the 3rd Tactical Wing were deployed toTurkey'sDiyarbakır air base. During this operation, Belgian aircraft carried out several flights along the Iraqi border. After this operation the obsolete Mirage 5s were phased out.
On 15 July 1996, a C-130 with serial CH-06 carrying 37 members of the Dutch Army Fanfare Band and four Belgian crew members crashed atEindhoven after a bird strike while executing a go-around, resulting in the loss of power to two engines. 34 passengers were killed, and only 7 survived. The accident is known in the Netherlands as theHerculesramp.
From October 1996, the Belgian Air Force cooperated with the Royal Netherlands Air Force in the "Deployable Air Task Force" in patrolling former Yugoslavian airspace. F-16s of the 2nd and 10th Tactical Wings, operating from the Italian bases ofVillafranca andAmendola, were assigned to missions insuring the control of a No-Fly Zone over Yugoslavia, and providing the air support necessary for UN and NATO troops. Between 24 March and 10 June 1999, twelve Belgian F-16s carried out 679 combat sorties – the first time since the second World War that Belgian aircraft took part in active war operations in enemy territory – againstSerbia during theKosovo crisis. The last Belgian F-16 detachment leftItaly in August 2001.
On 29 March 2004, four F-16s fromKleine Brogel were transferred underNATO'sBaltic Air Policing mission to theŠiauliai Air Base inLithuania for three months, where they were employed in monitoring theLithuanian,Latvian, andEstonian skies.
In 2005, the Helicopter Wing (WHeli – HeliW) deployed four A-109 (including one Medevac) inTuzla, Bosnia. In July, four F-16s deployed toAfghanistan to support theNATOInternational Security Assistance Force.[25] From June to October 2005, the80th UAV Squadron deployed its B-Hunter in Tuzla.[26][27]
In 2006, Belgian HunterUAVs deployed to theDemocratic Republic of the Congo as part of theEUEUFORpeacekeeping mission. At the same time, the Helicopter Wing (WHeli – HeliW) deployed three A-109 (including 1 Medevac) in Mostar, Bosnia, in Operation Blue Bee.[28]
On 1 December 2006 the Belgian Air Component deployed again under Baltic Air Policing mission four F-16 MLU aircraft to Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania, to defend the airspace of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.[29]
From August 2008, four F-16s were deployed to Kandahar in Afghanistan in support of the Dutch land forces.[30]
In March 2011, Belgium deployed six F-16 fighters toAraxos in Greece, in support ofOperation Odyssey Dawn, to support the NATO operations over Libya.[31] The aircraft were already at the base as part of a joint exercise and were transferred to NATO command. Up to June 2011, the aircraft had flown over 1,000 hours over Libya and attacked various military installations and targets.
_of_the_Belgian_Air_Component_arrives_RIAT_Fairford_13July2017_arp.jpg)
On 12 September 2011 a Wikileaks document showed a diplomatic cable from the American ambassador and the Minister of Defence Pieter De Crem that Belgium is interested in buying off-the-shelf Lockheed F-35 Lightnings by 2020.[32][33][34]
In 2013 the Belgian Air Force supported French operations in Mali providing Medevac helicopter support with two A-109 helicopters and two C-130 Hercules in a tactical air transport role.
On 2 September 2013, four F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter-jets of the Royal Belgian Air Force landed at theŠiauliai Air Base to take charge ofNATO's Air Policing mission over theBaltic states.[35][36]
Between October 2014 and July 2015 six Lockheed Martin F-16AM Fighting Falcons were deployed under Operation Desert Falcon toMuwaffaq Salti Air Base as part ofmilitary intervention against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.[37]
On 11 October 2018, one Belgian F-16 was completely destroyed and a second damaged, in a fire atFlorennes Air Base, reportedly caused by the accidental firing of a cannon.[38][39]
On 25 October 2018, Belgium officially selected the offer for 34 F-35As to replace the current fleet of around 54 F-16s. In the accompanying news conference, government officials stated that the decision to select the F-35 over theEurofighter Typhoon came down to the price, and later stated that "The offer from the Americans was the best in all our seven valuation criteria". The total purchasing price for the aircraft and its support until 2030 totaled €4 billion, €600 million cheaper than the initially budgeted €4.6 billion. First deliveries are scheduled to take place in 2023.[40][41]
On 19 September 2019, a Belgian Air Force F-16 crashed in France.[42]
In 2022 the STAR program (Strategic Defense Review) was announced by the Belgian Ministry of Defense which plans for the upgrade of the existing 4 NFH90 helicopters used by the Belgian Navy with currently lacking ASW Sensors & Weapons, the replacement of the remaining 10 Augusta A109Bi helicopters by new 15 Light Utility Helicopter (Airbus EC-145) and the acquisition of 6-8 heavy transport helicopters (CH-47F) to replace the 4 TTH90's whereby closer cooperation with the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force is considered.[43]
On 4 March 2015, the Belgian and Dutch ministers of defence, along with the ambassador of Luxembourg to the Netherlands, signed an agreement on joint air policing. Starting mid-2017, the Belgian Air Component and theRoyal Netherlands Air and Space Force will take turns keeping twoF-16s on quick reaction alert (QRA) defending the airspace of all threeBenelux countries. The agreement could allow the Belgian minister of defence to order a Dutch aircraft to use lethal force over Belgian airspace, and vice versa.Luxembourg, while currently covered by Belgian QRA, does not allow the use of lethal force over its territory.[44]
As of 2025, the Belgian Air Force has about 6,500 total active personnel divided in 10 operational units and an headquarters. In the near future, an air-artillery unit with long range surface to air missiles is to be re-established.
| Aircraft | Illustration | Origin | Type | Variant | In service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combat aircraft | ||||||
| F-16 Fighting Falcon | .jpg) |  United States | Multirole fighter | F-16A/B | 42[46] | 160 originally delivered. To be gradually replaced by the F-35A from 2025 onwards. |
| F-35 Lightning II | .jpg) | United States | Multirole fighter | F-35A | 12 | First order of 34 jets,[47] delivery planned until 2030. 8 stationed in Luke Airforce base in Arizona for training. 11 more ordered in 2025.[48] |
| Transport | ||||||
| Airbus A400M Atlas |  |  Europe | Transport | 7[46] | Based in Melsbroek airbase together with one A400M from Luxembourg. | |
| Dassault Falcon 7X | .jpg) |  France | VIP transport | 2 | [49] | |
| Helicopters | ||||||
| AgustaWestland AW109 |  |  Italy | Medevac / Scout | A109BA | 8 | Phasing out, replaced by Airbus H145M. |
| Airbus H145M | _2024-06-08_Andre_Gerwing_Collection_ID_019746.jpg) |  Germany | Utility | H145M | 0 | 15 on order,[50] delivery expected in 2026-2027. |
| NHIndustries NH90 | .jpg) | Europe | SAR / Utility | NFH | 4 | Flown for Belgian Navy, will be reassigned from SAR to ship-based NFH/ASW role. |
| Trainer | ||||||
| SIAI-Marchetti SF.260 | .jpg) | Italy | Trainer | 21[46] | To be replaced by Pilatus PC7. | |
| Pilatus PC-7 | .jpg) |  Switzerland | Trainer | PC-7 MKX | 0 | 18 on order.[51] |
| UCAV | ||||||
| MQ-9 Reaper |  | United States | Surveillance | MQ-9B SkyGuardian | 1 | 4 ordered.[52] First one delivered in August 2025.[53] Parliament approved that the drones can be armed.[54] |
NOTE: Belgium was committed to transfer 30 F-16s to Ukraine from 2024 to 2028 in the context of the planned transition to the F-35A but phasing serious delays up until 2025 none are transferred.[55]
Belgium also participates in the Multi Role Tanker Transport fleet of NATO, a multinationally owned and operated fleet of MRTT Airbus A330. Beyond the air-to-air refueling as the core mission, the MRTT aircraft can also transport personnel and cargo, as well as conduct medical evacuation missions through a special configuration. On 22 December 2017, Belgium signed a contract for one MRTT, to be based at Eindhoven Air Base, and officially joined the program on 14 February 2018.[56] In 2023 Belgium decided to invest another 265 million euros to contract a second A330 in the MRTT fleet.[57] Delivery of this second airplane is scheduled for 2026.[58]
The new Belgian government announced its intention to order up to 21 additional fighter jets on top of the 34 already ordered.[59][60]
Negotiations are ongoing regarding to transfer the phased out NH90-TTH helicopters to France and still provide support to Belgian army to continue fulfilling its tactical lift requirements during a crucial period of capability transition.[61]
Below is a list of some notable retired aircraft
_Belgian_Air_Force_(25935054602).jpg)
.jpg)
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Variant | In service | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combat aircraft | ||||||
| Fairey Battle | United Kingdom | Bomber | 14[62] | |||
| Fairey Fox | United Kingdom | Light bomber | II, III, VI, VIII | 115[62] | ||
| Fiat CR.42 | Italy | Fighter | 23[62] | |||
| Gloster Gladiator | United Kingdom | Fighter | 15[62] | |||
| Supermarine Spitfire | United Kingdom | Fighter | FR Mk XIV | 53[63] | ||
| Gloster Meteor | United Kingdom | Fighter | F.4/F.8/NF.11[64] | 347 | The NF.11 served as anight fighter | |
| Hawker Hurricane | United Kingdom | Fighter | Mk I | 11[62] | License built bySABCA[65] | |
| Avro CF-100 Canuck | Canada | Interceptor | CF-100 Mk 5 | 53[66] | In service 1957 - 1964 | |
| Republic F-84 Thunderjet | United States | Fighter-bomber | F-84E/H | 213[65] | In service 1951 - 1956 | |
| Republic F-84F Thunderstreak | United States | Fighter-bomber | F-84F | 231[65] | In service 1955 - 1972 | |
| Lockheed F-104 Starfighter | United States | Interceptor | F-104G | 100[67] | In service 1963 - 1983 | |
| Dassault Mirage 5 | France | Bomber | BA | 63[67] | In service 1970 - 1994 | |
| Reconnaissance | ||||||
| Dassault Mirage 5 | France | Reconnaissance | BR | 27[67] | In service 1971 - 1994 | |
| Republic RF-84F Thunderflash | United States | Reconnaissance | RF-84F | 34[65] | In service 1955 - 1972 | |
| Renard R.31 | Belgium | Observation | 19[62] | |||
| Auster AOP.6 | United Kingdom | Observation | 22[67] | In service 1947 - 1955 | ||
| Transport | ||||||
| Douglas C-54 | United States | Transport | 2[65] | In service 1950 - 1971 | ||
| C-130 Hercules | United States | Tactical airlifter | C-130H | 12[68] | In service 1971 - 2021 | |
| Boeing 727-100 | United States | Transport | B727-029 | 2 | Ex-Sabena, in service... | |
| Airbus A310-200 | Europe | Transport | A310-200 | 2 | In service... | |
| Airbus A330-300 | Europe | Transport | A330-300 | 1 | In service 2009 - 2014 (Leased from HiFly) | |
| Airbus A321 | Europe | Transport | A321-200 | 1[69] | In service 2014 - 2020 (Leased from HiFly) | |
| Dassault Falcon 20 | France | VIP transport | Falcon 20E | 2[70] | In service 1973 - 2016 | |
| Dassault Falcon 900 | France | VIP transport | Falcon 900B | 1 (CD-01)[71] | In service 1995 - 2019 | |
| Embraer ERJ145 | Brazil | VIP transport | 2[69] | In service 2001 - 2020 | ||
| Helicopters | ||||||
| Sikorsky S-58 | United States | SAR | S-58C | 11[67] | In service 1961 - 1986 | |
| Westland Sea King | United Kingdom | SAR | Sea King Mk. 48 | 5[72] | In service 1976 - 2019 | |
| Aérospatiale Alouette III | France | Liaison | 3[24] | In service 1971 - 2021 - Flown for theBelgian Navy | ||
| NHIndustries NH90 | Europe | Transport / Utility | TTH | 0 | In service 2013 - 2025.[45] | |
| Trainer aircraft | ||||||
| Gloster Meteor | United Kingdom | Jet trainer | T.7[64] | 43 | ||
| Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star | United States | Jet trainer | T-33A | 12[67] | ||
| Fouga CM.170 Magister | France | Jet trainer | 45[73] | |||
| North American T-6 Texan | United States | Trainer | 148[74] | In service 1947 - 1962 | ||
| Lockheed F-104 Starfighter | United States | Conversion trainer | TF-104G | 12[67] | In service 1965 - 1987 | |
| Alpha Jet | France /Germany | Light attack / Trainer | Alpha Jet B | 33[75] | In service 1978 - 2020 | |
| Unmanned aerial vehicles | ||||||
| IAI B-Hunter | Israel / United States | Reconnaissance | 11[76] | In service 2004 - 2020 | ||
| NATO code | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Belgian Air Component[77] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
| Generaal | Luitenant-generaal | Generaal-majoor | Brigadegeneraal | Kolonel | Luitenant-kolonel | Majoor | Kapitein-commandant | Kapitein | Luitenant | Onderluitenant | ||||||||||||||
| Général | Lieutenant général | Général-major | Général de Brigade | Colonel | Lieutenant-colonel | Major | Capitaine-commandant | Capitaine | Lieutenant | Sous-lieutenant | ||||||||||||||
| General | Generalleutnant | Generalmajor | Brigadegeneral | Oberst | Oberstleutnant | Major | Stabshauptmann | Hauptmann | Leutnant | Unterleutnant | ||||||||||||||
| NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belgian Air Component[77] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjudant-Majoor | Adjudant-chef | Adjudant | 1ste sergeant-majoor | 1ste sergeant-chef | 1ste sergeant | Sergeant | 1ste korporaal-chef | Korporaal-chef | Korporaal | 1ste soldaat | Soldaat | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjudant-Major | Adjudant-chef | Adjudant | Premier sergent-major | Premier sergent-chef | Premier sergent | Sergent | Premier caporal-chef | Caporal-chef | Caporal | Premier soldat | Soldat | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Majoradjutant | Chefadjudant | Adjudant | 1er Sergeant Major | 1er Sergeant Chef | 1er Sergeant | Sergeant | 1er Korporal Chef | Korporal Chef | Korporal | 1er soldat | Soldat | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | This section needs to beupdated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(August 2025) |
In the strategic defence vision report of the Belgian government it was stated that the Belgian air component will invest in 34 new fighter aircraft being introduced into service 2025–2030 and contribute for one aerial refuelling aircraft (A330 MRTT) as part of the Multi National Tanker Transport squadron based at Eindhoven Airport, to be able to deploy the new fighter aircraft in a more independent fashion.[78]
The Sea King helicopters were retired in March 2019 after 43 years of service. The Alpha Jet was also retired in December 2019 and sold toTop Aces in July 2020.[75] Future pilot training is to be conducted in the US at the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) program based at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas.[79] In addition, the three Alouette III helicopters flown for the Belgian Navy were phased out in 2021 after 50 years of operational service.[24]
On 25 October 2018, Belgium officially selected the offer for 34 F-35As to replace the current fleet of around 53 F-16s. In the accompanied news conference, government officials stated that the decision to select the F-35 over the Eurofighter Typhoon came down to the price, and later stated that "The offer from the Americans was the best in all our seven valuation criteria". The total purchasing price for the aircraft and its support until 2030 totaled €4 billion, €600 million cheaper than the initially budgeted €4.6 billion. First deliveries are scheduled to take place in 2023.[40][41]
In 2018 the Belgian Government approved the negotiations to acquire twoGeneral Atomics MQ-9B SkyGuardian MALE drones which are planned to be operational from 2023, replacing the IAI Hunter drones phased out since early 2021.[80]
In 2018 two Hercules aircraft were retired. In 2019 and 2020 additional aircraft were retired prior to the transition to the Airbus A400M starting in 2020. The remaining three Hercules were phased out in 2021, the last aircraft was withdrawn from Operational Service on 17 December 2021[68] after 50 years for service to the Belgian Air Force.[81]
Belgium contributes oneAirbus A330 MRTT tanker aircraft as part of the NATO MRTT Squadron based at Eindhoven Air Base, replacing the leased Airbus 321 which was phased out in 2020 and returned to the lessor.[69]
In June 2020, it was deemed that the NH90 was too expensive and too few in numbers to be operated effectively, plans are now to withdraw the 4 TTH-versions by 2024 and focus solely on the NFH's SAR and naval operations and acquire sensor & armament upgrades for the NFH-90. A possible replacement could be theAirbus H145M, up to 15 could be ordered to replace both the NH90-TTH and the remaining Agusta A109BA's.[82][50]
In January 2022, the Minister of Defence announced that the helicopter fleet will be completely renewed. There are plans to buy 15 new light utility helicopters (LUH) and 8 to 10 new heavy lift helicopters. The 4 NH90-TTH will be withdrawn and phased out.[83]
In August 2022 the Belgian Parliament approved the new law on military programming, the STAR-plus plan; the Belgian Air Force will have a new helicopter fleet. The remaining 12 Agusta A109BA will be retired and the four green NH90 TTH helicopters will be withdrawn from service. (There were 8 in total, only 4 of the NFH version will remain in service) In the plan, the new fleet will look like this:
This would replace the current fleet of 20 helicopters (12 Agusta A109 and 8 NH90) with a fleet of 33 helicopters.[84]
World Air Forces 2025 was invoked but never defined (see thehelp page).
