Jean-Baptiste Moreau watched the sleek F-35 fighter jets taxi down the runway at Florennes air base last month, their angular frames cutting through the Belgian morning mist. As a French defense contractor who had spent two years crafting Belgium’s Rafale proposal, he couldn’t help but feel a knot in his stomach. His team had promised everything—jobs, technology transfer, industrial partnerships that would have made Belgium a key player in European defense manufacturing.
But those promises weren’t enough. Belgium had chosen American steel over European solidarity, joining what military analysts now call the “F-35 wall” stretching across Northern Europe. For Jean-Baptiste and countless others in France’s defense industry, it was another painful reminder of how Europe’s fighter jet ambitions keep falling short.
This isn’t just about military hardware—it’s about the future of European defense independence and billions in industrial contracts that could reshape entire economies.
Belgium’s Billion-Dollar Bet on American Air Power
Back in 2018, Belgium’s government made a choice that sent shockwaves through European defense circles. They ordered 34 F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin for €4.3 billion, effectively ending decades of flying French and European aircraft.
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The decision stung even more when Belgium announced plans to expand their F-35 fleet to 45 aircraft in 2025, pushing the total deal value to approximately €5.6 billion. Belgian officials framed this as “NATO alignment,” but defense experts saw something deeper—a fundamental shift toward American military technology.
“Belgium isn’t just buying planes; they’re buying into an entire ecosystem that locks them into American defense partnerships for the next 30 years,” explains Dr. Sarah Kellner, a defense procurement specialist at the Brussels Institute for European Studies.
The F-35 fighter jets offer capabilities that impressed Belgian evaluators: stealth technology that makes them nearly invisible to enemy radar, advanced sensor fusion that creates unprecedented battlefield awareness, and seamless integration with American-led NATO operations.
France had pulled out all the stops to win this contract. They offered industrial offsets that would have created thousands of high-skilled jobs in Belgium, promised technology transfers, and even suggested joint production facilities. French President Emmanuel Macron personally lobbied Belgian leaders, emphasizing European strategic autonomy and industrial cooperation.
The Numbers Tell a Story of European Defeat
When Belgian defense officials announced their final decision, the comparison between competing aircraft painted a clear picture of American dominance:
| Aircraft | Country of Origin | Belgian Order | Contract Value | Delivery Timeline |
| F-35A Lightning II | United States | 45 aircraft | €5.6 billion | 2025-2030 |
| Rafale F4 | France | 0 | — | — |
| Eurofighter Typhoon | Multi-nation EU | 0 | — | — |
The Belgian evaluation process highlighted several key factors that favored the F-35 fighter jets:
- Stealth capabilities: The F-35’s low-observable design provides significant tactical advantages
- NATO interoperability: Seamless integration with alliance operations and communication systems
- Global support network: Access to Lockheed Martin’s worldwide maintenance and upgrade infrastructure
- Long-term cost projections: Economies of scale from the massive international F-35 program
- Technology roadmap: Guaranteed upgrades and improvements over the aircraft’s 30-year service life
“The F-35 wasn’t just competing against the Rafale and Eurofighter—it was representing an entire vision of future air warfare,” notes Colonel Michel Dubois (retired), former Belgian Air Force strategic planner.
What This Means for Europe’s Defense Dreams
Belgium’s choice represents more than a procurement decision; it signals a broader trend threatening European defense independence. The “F-35 wall” now includes the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and potentially Poland, creating a Northern European bloc dependent on American military technology.
For French defense giant Dassault Aviation, maker of the Rafale, this loss compounds a series of European disappointments. While the Rafale has found success in India, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates, it continues struggling against F-35 fighter jets in high-profile European competitions.
“Each European country that chooses the F-35 makes it harder for the next country to choose differently,” explains Marie Dubois, a defense analyst at the French Institute for International Relations. “Network effects become powerful—everyone wants to be compatible with everyone else.”
The industrial implications extend far beyond aircraft manufacturing. Belgium’s F-35 purchase means:
- Decades of maintenance contracts flowing to American companies
- Pilot training conducted in American facilities or American-approved centers
- Weapons systems locked into American-made missiles and munitions
- Technology upgrades controlled by the Pentagon and Lockheed Martin
French officials worry this trend undermines European efforts to build independent defense capabilities. The European Union has invested billions in programs like the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), a sixth-generation fighter being developed jointly by France, Germany, and Spain.
“When major European allies keep choosing American systems, it raises serious questions about whether Europe can ever achieve strategic autonomy,” admits a senior French Defense Ministry official who requested anonymity.
The View from Brussels: Why Belgium Chose America
Belgian decision-makers defend their choice by pointing to practical military considerations. The F-35 fighter jets offer capabilities that European alternatives simply cannot match, particularly in contested airspace where stealth technology provides crucial survival advantages.
Cost calculations also favored the American aircraft. While the initial unit price was higher, Belgian analysts projected lower lifetime costs due to the massive international F-35 program spreading development and maintenance expenses across thousands of aircraft.
“We had to choose the aircraft that would best serve Belgian security for the next three decades,” explains General Philippe Compernol, former Belgian Air Force commander. “Personal preferences for European industry couldn’t override operational requirements.”
The timing of Belgium’s decision also reflected broader geopolitical realities. Russian aggression in Ukraine had reinforced NATO solidarity, making interoperability with American forces a higher priority than European industrial cooperation.
Belgian leaders also noted that the F-35 program includes significant industrial participation. Belgian companies like Sabca and Asco are manufacturing components for the international F-35 fleet, creating jobs and maintaining aerospace expertise even without final assembly work.
FAQs
Why did Belgium choose F-35 fighter jets over European alternatives?
Belgium prioritized stealth capabilities, NATO interoperability, and long-term cost projections over European industrial cooperation.
How much is Belgium spending on F-35 aircraft?
Belgium is purchasing 45 F-35A fighter jets for approximately €5.6 billion, with deliveries running through 2030.
What is the “F-35 wall” in Europe?
It refers to the growing number of European countries choosing F-35 fighter jets, creating a bloc dependent on American military technology from the Netherlands to Scandinavia.
Could France still sell Rafale jets to other European countries?
Yes, but each F-35 purchase by European allies makes future Rafale sales more difficult due to interoperability concerns and network effects.
When will Belgian F-35s become fully operational?
Belgian F-35 fighter jets are arriving now, with full operational capability expected by 2028 as pilots complete training and support systems mature.
What does this mean for European defense independence?
Belgium’s choice reinforces European dependence on American military technology, potentially undermining EU efforts to build independent defense capabilities and strategic autonomy.