Belgium F-16 replacement plans firm up

Realistically, Belgium pretty much writes the Just So Failed out of the picture with this statement:

But one thing is certain: it wants to maintain its current level of ambition, namely the Quick Reaction Alert 24/7 with two to four aircraft. In addition, the Begian Chief of Staff wants to continue flight operations abroad with a maximum of ten aircraft with two locations as starting points.

The F-35 will cost way more to own and operate than an F-16. Reliability is the other problem, given the program's poor track record. At lest the F-35 might be flying in final form in the 2020s so that an intelligent purchaser of military equipment has something to look at.

Or not.