Belgium F-16 replacement update

Defensie bereidt in stilte vervanging F-16 voor
JSF and F-16 Replacement, Belgium —

Quietly and without committing itself, Belgian defense is working toward a successor to its F-16s. It has requested information from JPO about the Lockheed "F-35 Lightning II," from USN Integrated Program Office about the Boeing F/A-18, from Direction Générale de l'Armement about the Dassault Rafale, from Defence and Security Export Agency about the Saab JAS-39 and from the UK MoD about the Eurofighter Typhoon.

Belgium's MoD primarily wants to reconnoiter market prospects, sources say —only the first step in a long process leading to a purchase for the F-16 replacement.

Working assumption is that the F-16s will be grounded, starting 2023. Final decision on a possible order rests with the next, or a later, federal government.

http://deredactie.be/cm/vrtnieuws/binnenland/belga-140604-jsf-opvolger-f16