Belgium is relying on the F-35 for all of its fighter pilot training, which is now being conducted in the United States at Luke AFB, with more than 1,000 flight hours already completed.
Summary
The Belgian Air Component has taken a decisive step in the transition to the F-35A Lightning II: fighter pilot training is no longer carried out on F-16s but directly on the new 5th generation aircraft. The first Belgian detachments are currently undergoing training at Luke AFB in Arizona, where pilots from other countries using the F-35 are also trained. The Belgian F-35As stationed there have already exceeded 1,000 flight hours as part of this training phase. The aim is to train both pilot instructors and operational crews to ensure their return to Belgium and gradual integration into national squadrons. This development marks a major doctrinal and logistical change, involving significant financial investments that are considered necessary to fully exploit the potential of the F-35 and maintain interoperability within NATO.
A strategic shift for Belgian training
With the gradual withdrawal of the F-16 MLU, Belgium has decided to switch all fighter pilot training to the F-35A. This choice avoids the need to maintain two separate training programs and allows young pilots to become familiar with the specific technologies of the F-35, including data fusion, advanced sensors, and the network-centric mission system.
Belgium has ordered 34 F-35As, with the first deliveries beginning in 2023. Initial training in the United States is provided through a multinational partnership, in which several European countries—the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Finland—pool their resources at Luke AFB.
The complete transfer of F-35 training reflects a doctrinal shift: rather than training pilots on a previous-generation aircraft, the emphasis is on early acquisition of skills specific to network warfare and modern air superiority.
Training organized at Luke AFB
Luke AFB, located in Arizona, is now the primary international training center for the F-35A. It has experienced instructors from the US Air Force and partner air forces, as well as a large number of high-fidelity simulators that allow more than half of the curriculum to be completed without flying.
Belgium has deployed several of its own F-35As and pilot instructors there to accelerate the ramp-up. These aircraft have already accumulated more than 1,000 hours of flight training, demonstrating the program’s momentum.
The complete curriculum takes approximately 9 to 12 months for an experienced pilot and longer for a student pilot. It includes theoretical training on aircraft systems, familiarization with specific tactics, beyond visual range (BVR) air combat, and air-to-ground missions, including NATO scenarios.
Cost and investment required
Belgium has signed a contract worth approximately $4.5 billion for its 34 F-35As, including the supply of aircraft, engines, initial logistical support, and training.
Training in the United States represents a significant budget item, but it is considered more economical than maintaining a national school equipped with intermediate training aircraft.
Each hour of flight time for an F-35A is estimated to cost between $30,000 and $33,000 (approximately €28,000 to €31,000), but intensive use of simulators helps to limit operational costs and wear and tear on the aircraft.
Ultimately, Belgium plans to repatriate part of the advanced training to its own bases, notably in Florennes and Kleine-Brogel, as the infrastructure is adapted to the needs of the F-35.
Pilots gradually becoming operational
The first Belgian pilots trained at Luke AFB will be qualified for operational missions upon their return to Belgium, which is planned to coincide with the delivery of the aircraft.
The process also involves training Belgian pilot instructors, who are essential to ensuring continuity of training in the country and ultimately reducing dependence on the United States.
Once on Belgian soil, these pilots will undergo additional training cycles to adapt to the specificities of the national airspace and integration with European defense systems.
Interoperability with other F-35-equipped forces in NATO is a major objective, enabling joint operations to be conducted without major procedural adjustments.
The tactical advantages of the F-35 for Belgium
The F-35A Lightning II is a 5th generation fighter designed for stealth and networked warfare. Its sensors, such as the AN/APG-81 AESA radar and the EOTS electro-optical system, automatically fuse data and present the pilot with a simplified tactical picture.
This data fusion capability reduces the pilot’s workload and improves their responsiveness in air combat and air-to-ground missions. The aircraft is also designed to operate in coordination with other platforms, including drones and ground-to-air defense systems.
For Belgium, these features represent a qualitative leap in the protection of its airspace and its contribution to NATO operations. However, this requires extensive and ongoing training so that pilots can fully exploit the capabilities offered.
Training and skills maintenance
Initial training is only one step. F-35 pilots must undergo recurrent training and frequent software updates, as the aircraft evolves rapidly in successive blocks (Block 4, Block 4.2, etc.).
These developments include new weapons, improved detection capabilities, and connectivity enhancements. Each update requires periods of adaptation and sometimes additional simulator sessions.
Skills maintenance also depends on the number of annual flight hours per pilot. NATO standards recommend at least 150 to 180 flight hours per year to maintain a high operational level, supplemented by a comparable number of simulator hours.
A challenge of autonomy and international cooperation
Belgium’s initial dependence on US training is a transitional phase. The goal is to build an autonomous training and support capacity once experience has been gained.
However, cooperation with the United States and other European F-35 users will remain an asset for sharing lessons learned and standardizing procedures.
This collaborative approach strengthens Belgium’s integration into collective air defense systems and improves the resilience of allied forces in the face of modern threats.
A key step in the modernization of the Air Component
The transition to exclusively F-35A training symbolizes the profound transformation of the Belgian Air Component.
This evolution represents a long-term strategic investment, aimed at equipping Belgium with a fighter force adapted to contemporary challenges, from airspace defense to coalition projection.
It also highlights the crucial role of crew training in the overall effectiveness of an aeronautical program: a fifth-generation aircraft cannot reach its full potential without pilots who are fully trained in the technologies and combat methods it involves.
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