View source for Belgian Air Component

{{Short description|Aviation branch of Belgian Armed Forces}}
{{use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Belgian Air and Space Component
| native_name                   = {{ubl|{{nativename|nl|nolink=y|Luchtcomponent}}|{{nativename|fr|nolink=y|Composante air}}}}
| image                         = SCR-20250225-ptwo.png
| image_size                    = 300px
| caption                       = Logo of the Air and Space component
| start_date                    = 1909
| country                       = {{flag|Belgium}}
| allegiance                    = 
| branch                        = 
| type                          = [[Air force]]
| role                          = [[Aerial warfare]]
| size                          = 4,816 (2022)  <br /> 113 aircraft and UAV's
| command_structure             = [[Belgian Armed Forces]]
| garrison                      = 
| garrison_label                = 
| nickname                      = 
| patron                        = 
| motto                         = 
| colours                       = 
| colours_label                 = 
| march                         = 
| mascot                        = 
| anniversaries                 = 
| equipment                     = 
| equipment_label               = 
| battles                       = 
| decorations                   = 
| battle_honours                = 
| battle_honours_label          = 
| flying_hours                  = 
| website                       = [https://www.mil.be/nl/over-defensie/luchtcomponent/ www.mil.be]
<!-- Commanders -->| commander1                    = [[Major General]] Geert De Decker
| commander1_label              = 
| notable_commanders            = <!-- Insignia -->
| identification_symbol         = [[File:Roundel of Belgium.svg|90px]]
| identification_symbol_label   = [[Military aircraft insignia|Roundel]]
| identification_symbol_2       = [[File:Flag of Belgium.svg|90px]]
| identification_symbol_2_label = [[Fin flash]]
| identification_symbol_3       = [[File:Air Force Ensign of Belgium.svg|90px]]
| identification_symbol_3_label = [[Ensign (flag)|Ensign]]
<!-- Aircraft -->| aircraft_attack               = 
| aircraft_bomber               = 
| aircraft_electronic           = 
| aircraft_fighter              = [[F-16|F-16A]], [[F-35|F-35A]]
| aircraft_helicopter           = [[AgustaWestland AW109|AW109BA]], [[NHIndustries NH90|NH90]]
| aircraft_helicopter_attack    = 
| aircraft_helicopter_cargo     = 
| aircraft_helicopter_multirole = 
| aircraft_helicopter_observation = 
| aircraft_helicopter_trainer   = 
| aircraft_helicopter_utility   = 
| aircraft_interceptor          = 
| aircraft_patrol               = 
| aircraft_recon                = 
| aircraft_trainer              = [[F-16|F-16B]], [[SIAI-Marchetti SF.260|SF.260]]
| aircraft_transport            = [[Airbus A400M|A400M Atlas]], [[Dassault Falcon 7X]]
| aircraft_tanker               = [[Airbus A330 MRTT|A330 MRTT]] (NATO MRTT unit)
| aircraft_general              = 
}}

The '''Belgian Air and Space Component''' ({{langx|nl|Luchtcomponent}}, {{langx|fr|Composante air}}) is the [[Air force|air arm]] of the [[Belgian Armed Forces]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mil.be/fr/la-defense-mod-chod|title=La Défense|access-date=2016-03-25|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401171214/http://www.mil.be/fr/la-defense-mod-chod|archive-date=2016-04-01|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mil.be/nl/defensie-mod-chod|title=Defensie|access-date=2016-03-25|language=nl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320190716/http://www.mil.be/nl/defensie-mod-chod|archive-date=2016-03-20|url-status=live}}</ref> and until January 2002 it was officially known as the '''Belgian Air Force''' ({{langx|nl|Belgische Luchtmacht}}; {{langx|fr|Force aérienne belge}}). It was founded in 1909 and is one of the world's oldest air services.

The commander is [[Major General]] Thierry Dupont, appointed on 17 September 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2020-09-17 |title=Vliegbasis van Kleine Brogel zwaait generaal-majoor Frederik Vansina uit |url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2020/09/17/vliegbasis-van-kleine-brogel-zwaait-generaal-majoor-frederik-van/ |access-date=2024-04-01 |website=VRT NWS |language=nl}}</ref>

==History==
===Foundation and early years===
Luchtcomponent was founded in 1909 as a branch of the [[Belgian Army]], carrying the name {{lang|fr|Compagnie des Ouvriers et Aérostiers}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.luchtvaarterfgoed.be/nl/content/licht-vliegwezenlaan-brasschaat |title=Licht Vliegwezenlaan (Brasschaat) |first1=Frans |last1=Van Humbeek |first2=Paul |last2=Van Caesbroeck |work=Hangar Flying: Online Database of the Belgian Aviation Heritage |year=2015 |access-date=21 August 2015 |language=nl |name-list-style=amp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042933/http://www.luchtvaarterfgoed.be/nl/content/licht-vliegwezenlaan-brasschaat |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> [[Albert I of Belgium|King Albert]]'s interest in the military use of aircraft was the main impetus for its formation. Coincidentally, in the civil aviation sector, [[Baron]] [[Pierre 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's [[Aircrew brevet|brevet]] before their military one.{{sfn|Pieters|1998|p=9}}

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.{{sfn|Pieters|1998|p=9}}

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.{{sfn|Pieters|1998|p=9}}

On 12 September 1912, pilot Lieutenant Nelis and observer {{lang|fr|Sous Lieutenant}} Stellingwerff were the first Europeans to fire a [[machine 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 accompanied ''Capitaine Commandant'' Émile Mathieu to England during November 1913 to demonstrate aerial use of the [[Lewis machine gun]] at [[Hendon]] and [[Aldershot]]; 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.{{sfn|Pieters|1998|p=11}}

===World War I===
[[File:Airship Belgique.jpg|thumb|''Belgique'', the first Belgian airship]]
By the time of Belgium's entry into the First World War on 4 August 1914, the military aviation branch, now called the {{lang|fr|Aviation Militaire Belge}} ({{lang|nl|Belgische militaire luchtvaart}}), consisted of four squadrons, each consisting of four 80-horsepower [[Farman Aviation Works|Farman]] aircraft, although {{lang|fr|Escadrilles}} 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 with [[Blériot Aéronautique|Bleriot]]s.{{sfn|Pieters|1998|pp=10-11}}

{{lang|fr|Sous Lieutenant}} Henri Crombez flew one of the first war patrols, in a [[Deperdussin Monocoque|Deperdussin racer]] on 4 August 1914 above Liège.<ref>{{cite book |title= Luchtoorlog boven België 1914 |trans-title=Air War over Belgium in 1914 |last1=Deneckere |first1=Bernard |location=[[Roeselare]] |publisher=Roularta |year=2010 |isbn=9789086793013 |language=nl}}</ref> Adjutant Behaeghe was the first to engage an enemy, a few days later. On 26 September, the Belgian air crew of {{lang|fr|Sous Lieutenant}} de Petrowski and Sergeant Benselin mortally wounded a German pilot with a rifle bullet and forced his [[Etrich Taube|Taube]] to land at [[Berchem-Sainte-Agathe]]; if they had submitted a claim for this victory, its approval would have marked history's first air-to-air combat victory.{{sfn|Pieters|1998|pp=11-13,21}}

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 ten [[Albatros Flugzeugwerke|Albatroses]] against three Belgian Farmans. On 26 March, {{lang|fr|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.{{sfn|Pieters|1998|p=12}}

In April, Lieutenant [[Fernand Jacquet]] mounted a machine gun on his [[pusher configuration|pusher]] 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 over [[Roeselare]]. Apparently at about the same time, Adjutant [[José Orta]] and {{lang|fr|Sous Lieutenant}} [[Louis de Burlet]] were the first to attack an enemy [[observation balloon]] when they dropped three small bombs on a gasbag over [[Houthulst]], however they either did not hit, or failed to explode.{{sfn|Pieters|1998|p=12}}

[[File:Museum Stampe Sopwith Camel 04.JPG|thumb|left|[[Sopwith Camel]] in the colours of the Belgian 1st Squadron]]
On 18 January 1916, the decision was made to form a dedicated fighter squadron. On 22 February 1916, Escadrille I became the {{lang|fr|[[1ère Escadrille de Chasse]]}}. It consisted of newly supplied [[Nieuport 10]]s and one obsolete Farman two-seater. In August, the new squadron would upgrade to [[Nieuport 11]]s, and {{lang|fr|Escadrille V}} was turned into the {{lang|fr|[[5me Escadrille de Chasse|5ème 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.{{sfn|Pieters|1998|p=14}}

In the summer of 1917, the AMB was allotted an active role in Allied aviation operations at the beginning of the [[Third Battle of Ypres]]. In March 1918, the AMB matured into a {{lang|fr|[[Groupe de Chasse]]}}. At this time, the role of the {{lang|fr|Escadrilles 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, {{lang|fr|1ère Escadrille de Chasse}} became {{lang|fr|[[9 Squadron (Belgian Air Force)|9ème Escadrille de Chasse]]}}, and {{lang|fr|5ème Escadrille de Chasse}} became {{lang|fr|[[10me Escadrille de Chasse|10ème Escadrille de Chasse]]}}. The {{lang|fr|[[11 Squadron (Belgian Air Force)|11ème 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.{{sfn|Pieters|1998|pp=17-18}}

====Aircraft procurement difficulties====
In June 1916 the nascent air force had received newer aircraft from the French in both single and double-seat versions of the [[Nieuport 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.{{sfn|Pieters|1998|pp=12, 17}} The introduction dates of various types, compared to the date of their acquisition by the Belgians, tells the tale. The Belgians got [[Nieuport 16]]s at the end of 1916. The [[Nieuport 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 newer [[Nieuport 23]]s, which were basically up-engined Nieuport 17s. [[Spad VII]]s 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 the [[Hanriot HD.1]] supplied to it the year after it was introduced. [[Spad XIII]]s also came on line that month, but would not show up in Belgian inventory until the next year. [[Sopwith Camel]]s first went into service in May 1917 and the AMB received its first one on 29 November 1917.{{sfn|Pieters|1998|pp=15-16}}

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.{{sfn|Pieters|1998|p=16}}

====Operational summary====
One of its [[flying ace]] pilots, [[Willy Coppens]], became the top ranking [[balloon 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]],{{sfn|Pieters|1998|pp=46-47}} [[Edmond Thieffry]],{{sfn|Pieters|1998|pp=78-79}} [[Jan Olieslagers]],{{sfn|Pieters|1998|pp=72-73}} and [[Fernand Jacquet]].{{sfn|Pieters|1998|pp=62-63}}

The fledgling air force was entrusted with flying both [[Albert I of Belgium|King Albert]] and [[Elisabeth of Bavaria (1876–1965)|Queen Elisabeth]] over the battle front at times.{{sfn|Pieters|1998|pp=21-22}}

===Between the world wars===
[[File:Firefly y17.jpg|thumb|right|Belgian [[Fairey Firefly II]], 1931]]
During the [[interwar period]], the Belgian Army Air Force flew the [[Breguet 19]]. Some efforts were made to acquire aircraft from local production, such as those by [[Stampe et Vertongen]] and [[Alfred Renard|Renard]]. They also evaluated native designs like the [[ACAZ C.2]] and [[LACAB GR.8]], none of which entered mass production however.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}

===World War II===
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 the [[Renard R-31]] and [[Renard R-32|R-32]], the [[Fiat CR.42 Falco]], the [[Hawker Hurricane]], the [[Gloster Gladiator]], the [[Fairey Fox]], and the [[Fairey 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 the {{lang|fr|Aviation Militaire}} with foreign designs, ordering production licences in [[Poland]] and [[France]] 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 to [[France]] and to the [[United Kingdom]].{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}

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 the [[Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve]]. This small force was active within the British [[Royal Air Force]], and its squadrons were equipped with the [[Supermarine Spitfire]] and [[Hawker Typhoon]]. {{Citation needed|reason=There must be some literature on the subject somewhere. |date=September 2021}}

===The Cold War===
{{See also|Second Allied Tactical Air Force}}

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 ({{lang|fr|Ecole de Pilotage Avancé}}) operated Harvards from the [[Kamina]] military base in the [[Belgian Congo]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ailes-militaires-belges.be/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=197&Itemid=571&lang=en |title=EPA à Kamina |first=V. |last=Pécriaux |work=Les Ailes Militaires Belges |year=2015 |access-date=21 August 2015 |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919225213/http://www.ailes-militaires-belges.be/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=197&Itemid=571&lang=en |archive-date=19 September 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Seemingly about 60 Harvards were at the base.

===Post-Cold War reforms===
[[File:Agusta A109BA 5 (7567963708).jpg|thumb|left| An [[AgustaWestland AW109#Variants|Agusta A109BA]] of the Air Component]]
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 in [[Beauvechain]]; the 9th Training Wing in [[Sint-Truiden Air Base]]; and the Elementary Flying School in [[Goetsenhoven Military Airfield|Goetsenhoven]] (1996).

In 2002, the Belgian government decided to emulate [[Canada]] and impose a "single structure" on its armed forces in which the independent Belgian Air Force ceased to exist. The Belgian Air Component (''COMOPSAIR being the HQ'') consists of the [[2nd Tactical Wing]] in [[Florennes Air Base]] and the [[10th Tactical Wing]] in [[Kleine 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. The [[1st Wing (Belgium)|1st Wing]] at [[Beauvechain Air Base]] is assigned for the training of pilots, using the piston-powered [[Aermacchi SF.260]] for elementary training, and the [[Alpha Jet]] for advanced training. Advanced combat training is done on F-16's at [[Kleine Brogel Air Base|Kleine Brogel]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scramblemagazine.nl/orbats/belgium |title=Belgium Air Component Order of Battle |work=Scramble.nl |access-date=24 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206161023/http://www.scramblemagazine.nl/orbats/belgium |archive-date=6 December 2013 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> COMOPSAIR still operates the [[Lockheed Corporation|Lockheed]] [[C-130 Hercules]] in the [[15th Air Transport Wing]] based at [[Melsbroek Air Base]], planning to replace them by seven [[Airbus A400M]] transport aircraft. VIPs are transported with [[Embraer ERJ 145 family|Embraer 135/145]] jets,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.airliners.net/photo/Belgium---Air/Embraer-EMB-135LR-(ERJ-135LR)/2046606 |title=Photos: Embraer ERJ-135LR (EMB-135LR) Aircraft Pictures |work=Airliners.net |access-date=24 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225002601/http://www.airliners.net/photo/Belgium---Air/Embraer-EMB-135LR-(ERJ-135LR)/2046606 |archive-date=25 December 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> [[Dassault Falcon|Dassault 20/900]], and the [[Airbus A321]]. The [[Westland Sea King|Sea King]] SAR helicopters were phased out in March 2019 after more than 40 years of service and replaced by [[NHI NH90|NH90s]] (4 NFH + 4 TTH). The [[Aérospatiale Alouette III|Alouette III]] helicopters flown for the Belgian Navy in a utility-role were phased out in 2021.<ref name="alu">{{cite web|url=https://www.horizon.mt/2021/07/08/last-flight-for-the-belgian-alouettes/|title=Last flight for the Belgian Alouette's|date=2021-07-08|access-date=2021-11-24|work=Horizon.mt}}</ref>

In 2004, as part of the unified structure, the Army Aviation units of the [[Wing Heli]] were transferred to the COMOPSAIR. These contain the [[Agusta A109]] attack helicopter, and the [[Aérospatiale Alouette II|Alouette II]] training and recce helicopter.
In 2005, the Belgian [[Alpha Jet]]s moved to Cazaux in France to continue the [[11 Squadron (Belgian Air Force)|Initial Operational Training]], while the Advanced Jet Training was done on French [[Alpha Jet]]s 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 the ''Rapid Reaction Forces''.
In February 2008, Defense Minister [[Pieter De Crem]] announced that due to increasing problems and poor serviceability, the two [[Airbus A310|A310s]] were to be replaced as soon as possible by two aircraft in the same class. An [[Airbus A330]] was dry-leased to take their place till March 2014 where it was replaced by an [[Airbus A321]].
On 1 September 2010, the [[Wing Heli]] in Bierset was disbanded and the [[Agusta A109]] helicopters moved to [[Beauvechain Air Base]] to become [[1st Wing (Belgium)|1st Wing]]. The [[Aermacchi SF.260|SF260]] squadrons became part of the [[Basic Flying Training School (Belgian Air Component)|Basic Flying Training School]].
On 24 May 2011, it was reported that the two retired Airbus A310 aircraft have been sold to the [[Brussels]]-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 unspecified [[Abu Dhabi]]-based operator.{{citation needed|date=May 2011}}

===1990s===
In January 1991, 18 Mirage 5 aircraft of the 3rd Tactical Wing were deployed to [[Turkey|Turkey's]] [[Diyarbakır]] 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 at [[Eindhoven Airport|Eindhoven]] 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 the [[Herculesramp]].

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 of [[Villafranca Air Base|Villafranca]] and [[Amendola Air Base|Amendola]], 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 – against [[Serbia]] during the [[Kosovo]] crisis. The last Belgian F-16 detachment left [[Italy]] in August 2001.

===2000s===
On 29 March 2004, four F-16s from [[Kleine Brogel Air Base|Kleine Brogel]] were transferred under [[NATO|NATO's]] [[Baltic Air Policing]] mission to the [[Šiauliai International Airport|Šiauliai Air Base]] in [[Lithuania]] for three months, where they were employed in monitoring the [[Lithuania]]n, [[Latvia]]n, and [[Estonia]]n skies.

In 2005, the Helicopter Wing (WHeli – HeliW) deployed four A-109 (including one Medevac) in [[Tuzla]], Bosnia. In July, four F-16s deployed to [[Afghanistan]] to support the [[NATO]] [[International Security Assistance Force]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nato.int/docu/update/2005/07-july/e0712b.htm |title=NATO Update: Alliance augments air power in Afghanistan |work=NATO |date=12 July 2005 |access-date=21 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217030501/http://www.nato.int/docu/update/2005/07-july/e0712b.htm |archive-date=17 February 2009 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> From June to October 2005, the [[80th UAV Squadron (Belgium)|80th UAV Squadron]] deployed its B-Hunter in Tuzla.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mil.be/fr/unites/80-unmanned-aerial-vehicle-squadron |title=80 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron |work=Belgium Defence |year=2015 |access-date=21 August 2015 |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150726223909/http://www.mil.be/fr/unites/80-unmanned-aerial-vehicle-squadron |archive-date=26 July 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://belmilac.wikifoundry.com/page/IAI+-+Eagle+B-Hunter+UAV+(Unmanned+Aerial+Vehicle) |title=Eagle B-Hunter UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) |work=Belgian Military Aircraft Database |year=2015 |access-date=21 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042840/http://belmilac.wikifoundry.com/page/IAI+-+Eagle+B-Hunter+UAV+(Unmanned+Aerial+Vehicle) |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

In 2006, Belgian Hunter [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|UAVs]] deployed to the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] as part of the [[European Union|EU]] [[EUFOR]] [[peacekeeping]] mission. At the same time, the Helicopter Wing (WHeli – HeliW) deployed three A-109 (including 1 Medevac) in Mostar, Bosnia, in Operation Blue Bee.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.belgian-wings.be/webpages/navigator/news/news_2006_2.htm |title=BAHA News 2006: Belgian Defence Agusta helicopters deployed to Mostar in Bosnia-Herzegovina |work=Belgian Wings |date=June 2006 |access-date=21 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923183430/http://www.belgian-wings.be/webpages/navigator/news/news_2006_2.htm |archive-date=23 September 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.f-16.net/news_article2075.html |title=Belgium F-16s to police Baltic airspace |work=f-16.net |access-date=24 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105165012/http://www.f-16.net/news_article2075.html |archive-date=5 January 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

From August 2008, four F-16s were deployed to Kandahar in Afghanistan in support of the Dutch land forces.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.f-16.net/news_article2731.html |title=Belgium to deploy 4 F-16s to Afghanistan |work=f-16.net |access-date=24 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101183621/http://www.f-16.net/news_article2731.html |archive-date=1 January 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

In March 2011, Belgium deployed six F-16 fighters to [[Patras Araxos Airport|Araxos]] in Greece, in support of [[Operation Odyssey Dawn]], to support the NATO operations over Libya.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.belgium.be/en/news/2011/news_f-16-libya.jsp |title=Belgium sends four F-16s to Libya |work=Belgian Federal Government |date=22 March 2011 |access-date=21 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923183725/http://www.belgium.be/en/news/2011/news_f-16-libya.jsp |archive-date=23 September 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> 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.
[[File:Lockheed Martin F-16AM Fighting Falcon (FA-123) of the Belgian Air Component arrives RIAT Fairford 13July2017 arp.jpg|thumb|The display F-16AM arriving at the 2017 [[RIAT]], England]]

===2010/2020s===
[[File:Belgian Airbus A400M Atlas.webm|thumb|Belgian Airbus A400M Atlas.]]
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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lockheed-fighter-belgium-idUSBRE98G0OQ20130917 |first=Andrea |last=Shalal-Esa |title=Belgium considers Lockheed F-35 to replace F-16s |date=17 September 2013 |work=[[Reuters]] |access-date=24 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225003404/http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/17/us-lockheed-fighter-belgium-idUSBRE98G0OQ20130917 |archive-date=25 December 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/belgium-to-launch-f-16-replacement-process-393103/ |title=Belgium to launch F-16 replacement process |first=Craig |last=Hoyle |work=[[Flightglobal]] |date=16 November 2013 |access-date=21 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306135458/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/belgium-to-launch-f-16-replacement-process-393103/ |archive-date=6 March 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/dutch-fighter-f-idUSL5N0HD0RI20130917 |title=Dutch government says to purchase 37 F-35 fighter planes |first1=Anthony |last1=Deutsch |first2=Andrea |last2=Shalal-Esa |work=Reuters |date=17 September 2013 |access-date=21 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924184803/http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/17/dutch-fighter-f-idUSL5N0HD0RI20130917 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

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 the [[Šiauliai Air Base]] to take charge of [[Baltic Air Policing|NATO's Air Policing]] mission over the [[Baltic states]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/49433/belgian-fighter-jets-landed-in-siauliai-to-take-over-of-the-baltic-air-policing-mission-201349433/ |title=Belgian fighter-jets landed in Šiauliai to take over of the Baltic Air Policing mission |work=The Lithuania Tribune |date=4 September 2013 |access-date=24 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225011338/http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/49433/belgian-fighter-jets-landed-in-siauliai-to-take-over-of-the-baltic-air-policing-mission-201349433/ |archive-date=25 December 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://theaviationist.com/2014/09/22/belgian-air-force-days/ |first=David |last=Cenciotti |title=The most interesting aircraft displayed at the Belgian Air Force Days |date=22 September 2014 |work=The Aviationist |access-date=24 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030024033/http://theaviationist.com/2014/09/22/belgian-air-force-days/ |archive-date=30 October 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

Between October 2014 and July 2015 six Lockheed Martin F-16AM Fighting Falcons were deployed under Operation Desert Falcon to [[Muwaffaq Salti Air Base]] as part of [[2014 military intervention against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|military intervention against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]].<ref name="AFMSEPT15">{{cite book|title=[[AirForces Monthly]]|date=September 2015|publisher=[[Key Publishing|Key Publishing Ltd]]|location=[[Stamford, Lincolnshire|Stamford]], [[Lincolnshire]], [[England]]|pages=74}}</ref>

On 11 October 2018, one Belgian F-16 was completely destroyed and a second damaged, in a fire at [[Florennes Air Base]], reportedly caused by the accidental firing of a cannon.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aviation24.be/military-aircraft/belgian-air-component/air-force-f-16-destroyed-maintenance-collateral-damage-second/|title=Belgian Air Force F-16 destroyed by fire during maintenance - Collateral damage on second F-16 - Aviation24.be|date=12 October 2018|access-date=14 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014020409/https://www.aviation24.be/military-aircraft/belgian-air-component/air-force-f-16-destroyed-maintenance-collateral-damage-second/|archive-date=14 October 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://jalopnik.com/technician-accidentally-sets-off-an-f-16-cannon-blows-1829732241|title=Technician Accidentally Sets off an F-16 Cannon, Blows Up Another F-16|first=Elizabeth|last=Werth|date=13 October 2018 |access-date=14 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014003509/https://jalopnik.com/technician-accidentally-sets-off-an-f-16-cannon-blows-1829732241|archive-date=14 October 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

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 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.<ref name="BelgiumReuters">{{cite web |last1=Emmott |first1=Robin |title=Belgium picks Lockheed's F-35 over Eurofighter on price |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-aerospace-belgium/belgium-picks-lockheeds-f-35-over-eurofighter-on-price-idUSKCN1MZ1S0 |website=Reuters |access-date=26 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025145835/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-aerospace-belgium/belgium-picks-lockheeds-f-35-over-eurofighter-on-price-idUSKCN1MZ1S0 |archive-date=2018-10-25 |location=Brussels |date=25 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="BelgiumDefenseNews">{{cite web |last1=Insinna |first1=Valerie |title=F-35 officially wins Belgian fighter contest |url=https://www.defensenews.com/air/2018/10/25/f-35-officially-wins-belgian-fighter-contest/ |website=Defense News |access-date=26 October 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20181025153323/https://www.defensenews.com/air/2018/10/25/f-35-officially-wins-belgian-fighter-contest/ |archive-date=2018-10-25 |location=Washington |date=25 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 19 September 2019, a Belgian Air Force F-16 crashed in France.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aviation24.be/military-aircraft/belgian-air-component/belgian-air-force-f-16-crashes-near-pluvigner-france/|title=Belgian Air Force F-16 crashes near Pluvigner, France|last=Noëth|first=Bart|date=19 September 2019|website=Aviation24|access-date=19 September 2019}}</ref>

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 Force is considered.<ref>[https://dedonder.belgium.be/sites/default/files/articles/STAR%20Plan_NL.pdf STAR-plan]</ref>

====Joint air policing====
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 the [[Royal Netherlands Air Force]] will take turns keeping two [[F-16]]s on quick reaction alert (QRA) defending the airspace of all three [[Benelux]] 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. [[Military of Luxembourg|Luxembourg]], while currently covered by Belgian QRA, does not allow the use of lethal force over its territory.<ref name=janesjointpatrol>{{cite journal |url=http://www.janes.com/article/49759/benelux-countries-agree-to-joint-air-policing |last=Fiorenza |first=Nicholas |title=Benelux countries agree to joint air policing |journal=[[Jane's Defence Weekly]] |date=11 March 2015 |volume=52 |issue=10 |page=13 |access-date=10 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702023717/http://www.janes.com/article/49759/benelux-countries-agree-to-joint-air-policing |archive-date=2 July 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

== Organization ==
As of 2018, the airforce 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 established.

* HQ COMOPSAIR (headquarters of the airforce) in [[Evere]]
** 1st wing (Helicopters and training aircraft) in [[Beauvechain Air Base|Beauvechain/Bevekom]] and [[Koksijde Air Base|Koksijde]]
** Meteo Wing (weather forecasting for the airforce) 
** Air traffic control centre in [[Steenokkerzeel]]
** Control and Reporting Centre in Beauvechain
** Aviation Safety Directorate (in charge of aviation safety)
** Airforce Competence Centre (in charge of training flying and non-flying personnel) in Beauvechain
** 10th tactical wing at [[Kleine Brogel Air Base|Kleine Brogel]]
*** 31st fighter squadron with F-16  (F-35A from 2027 onwards)
*** 349th fighter squadron with F-16 (F-35A from 2027 onwards)
*** operations conversion unit
*** operations squadron
*** maintenance group
*** defence and support group
** 2nd tactical wing at [[Florennes Air Base|Florennes]]
*** 1st fighter squadron with F-16 (F-35A from 2025 onwards)
*** 350th fighter squadron with F-16 (F-35A from 2025 onwards)
*** operations conversion unit
*** operations squadron
*** maintenance group
*** defence and support group
*** 2nd squadron, to be equipped with 4 MQ-9B Skyguardian drones from 2025 onwards
** 15th wing airtransport in [[Melsbroek Air Base|Melsbroek]] with 8 A400M transport aircraft (7 Belgium & 1 Luxembourg) and 2 Dassault Falcon 7X jets

==Aircraft==
===Current aircraft===
[[File:A Belgian Armed Forces F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft flies near Kandahar Airfield, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, Oct. 7, 2013 131007-A-MH103-003.jpg |thumb| A Belgian F-16AM flies near [[Kandahar International Airport|Kandahar Airfield]]]]
[[File:NH Industries NH90-NFH ‘RN-02’ (cropped).jpg|thumb|NH90 NFH on display at [[Florennes Air Base]]]] 
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Illustration
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Origin
! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;"|Type
! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;"|Variant
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|In service
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Notes
|-
! colspan="7" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Military aircraft#Combat aircraft|Combat aircraft]]
|-
|'''[[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16 Fighting Falcon]]'''
|[[File:Kecskemet_2010_Belgian_F-16_photo_41_(cropped).jpg|120px|centre]]
|{{USA}}
|[[Multirole combat aircraft|Multirole fighter]]
|[[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon#Variants|F-16A/B]]
|42<ref name="World Air Forces 20245">{{cite web |last=Hoyle |first=Craig |year=2023 |title=World Air Forces 2024 |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=98881 |access-date=12 December 2023 |publisher=[[FlightGlobal]]}}</ref>
|160 originally delivered. To be gradually replaced by the F-35A from 2025 onwards.
|-
|'''[[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|F-35 Lightning II]]'''
|[[File:F-35A flight (cropped).jpg|120px|centre]]
|{{USA}}
|Multirole fighter
|[[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II#F-35A|F-35A]]
|8
|26 of 34 on order<ref name="World Air Forces 2025" /> delivery during 2025-2030. Possible follow-up order of 21 additional aircraft.
|-
! colspan="7" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Military transport aircraft|Transport]]
|-
|'''[[Airbus A400M Atlas]]'''
|[[File:EC-402 - A400M - Airbus industrie - TLS - En finale sur 32L - 04550-2.jpg|120px|centre]]
|{{EUR}}
|[[Military transport aircraft|Transport]]
|
|7<ref name="World Air Forces 20245" />
|Based in Melsbroek airbase together with one A400M from Luxembourg.
|-
|'''[[Dassault Falcon 7X]]'''
|[[File:Dassault Falcon 7X Belgian Air Force OO-FAE 5D4 2141 (53920830373).jpg|120px|centre]]
|{{FRA}}
|[[Air transports of heads of state and government|VIP transport]]
|
|2
|<ref name="hln.be">{{Cite web |date=2021-08-16 |title=België stuurt vliegtuigen naar Kaboel na oproep van tientallen Belgen in Afghanistan: "Ik hoop dat er snel een vlucht komt. Ons leven is in gevaar" {{!}} Instagram VTM NIEUWS {{!}} hln.be |url=https://www.hln.be/dossier-afghanistan-in-handen-van-taliban/belgie-stuurt-vliegtuigen-naar-kaboel-na-oproep-van-tientallen-belgen-in-afghanistan-ik-hoop-dat-er-snel-een-vlucht-komt-ons-leven-is-in-gevaar~a5c66395/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816161515/https://www.hln.be/dossier-afghanistan-in-handen-van-taliban/belgie-stuurt-vliegtuigen-naar-kaboel-na-oproep-van-tientallen-belgen-in-afghanistan-ik-hoop-dat-er-snel-een-vlucht-komt-ons-leven-is-in-gevaar~a5c66395/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2021-08-16 |access-date=2025-01-15 }}</ref>
|-
! colspan="7" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Helicopter]]s
|-
|'''[[AgustaWestland AW109]]'''
|[[File:Agusta A-109 Sanicole Airshow 2024.jpg|120px|centre]]
|{{ITA}}
|[[Medical evacuation|Medevac]] / Scout
|[[AgustaWestland AW109#Variants|A109BA]]
|10<ref name="World Air Forces 20245" />
|Phasing out, replaced by Airbus H145M.
|-
|'''[[Eurocopter EC145|Airbus H145M]]'''
|[[File:Airbus H145M LUH (cn 20096, 76+09) 2024-06-08 Andre Gerwing Collection ID 019746.jpg|120px|centre]]
|{{GER}}
|[[Utility helicopter|Utility]]
|[[Eurocopter EC145|H145M]]
|0
|15 on order,<ref name="airbus.com">{{cite web | url=https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2024-06-belgium-chooses-airbus-h145m-for-armed-forces-and-federal-police | title=Belgium chooses Airbus H145M for Armed Forces and Federal Police &#124; Airbus | date=17 June 2024 }}</ref> delivery expected in 2026-2027.
|-
|'''[[NHIndustries NH90]]'''
|[[File:Belgium Air Force NH90.jpg|120px|centre]]
|{{EUR}}
|Transport / Utility
|[[NHIndustries NH90#TTH: Tactical Transport Helicopter|TTH]]
|4<ref name="World Air Forces 2025" />
|To be phased out
|-
|'''[[NHIndustries NH90]]'''
|[[File:RN-01 (54046875528).jpg|120px|centre]]
|{{EUR}}
|[[Search and rescue|SAR]] / Utility
|[[NHIndustries NH90#NFH: NATO Frigate Helicopter|NFH]]
|4
|Belgian Naval Component.
Will be transformed to NFH/ASW and replaced by 4 new SAR helicopters to be ordered in 2025.
|-
! colspan="7" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Trainer aircraft|Trainer]]
|-
|'''[[SIAI-Marchetti SF.260]]'''
|[[File:Belgian Air Force SF260 Marchetti (53782303919).jpg|120px|centre]]
|{{ITA}}
|[[Trainer aircraft|Trainer]]
|
|29<ref name="World Air Forces 20245" />
|Replacement planned
|-
! colspan="7" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Unmanned combat aerial vehicle|UCAV]]
|-
|'''[[General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper|MQ-9 Reaper]]'''
|[[File:Reaper UAV Taxis at Kandahar Airfield MOD 45151487.jpg|120px|centre]]
|{{USA}}
|[[Attack aircraft|Strike]] / [[Surveillance aircraft|Surveillance]]
|[[General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper#SkyGuardian|MQ-9B SkyGuardian]]
|0
|4 on order.<ref>{{cite web |date=2024-06-20 |title=Belgian Defense Ministry Announces Completion of Initial Training for First MQ-9B crews |url=https://defensemirror.com/news/37091/Belgian_Defense_Ministry_Announces_Completion_of_Initial_Training_for_First_MQ_9B_Crews |access-date=2024-06-21 |publisher=upi.com}}</ref> First one will be delivered in summer of 2025.
Parliament approved that the drones can be armed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-22 |title=Parliament OKs weaponising Belgian drones |url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2025/01/22/parliament-oks-weaponising-belgian-drones/ |access-date=2025-01-28 |website=vrtnws.be |language=en}}</ref>
|}

NOTE: Belgium is committed to transfer 30 F-16 to Ukraine from 2024 to 2028 in the context of the planned transition to the F-35A.<ref>{{Cite web |last=AFP |first=Staff Writer With |date=2024-05-28 |title=Belgium Commits to Deliver 30 F-16 Jets to Kyiv by 2028 |url=https://www.thedefensepost.com/2024/05/28/belgium-f16s-ukraine/ |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=The Defense Post |language=en-us}}</ref>
[[File:Aankomst T-054 Eindhoven.jpg|thumb|A330 MRTT]]
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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-02-17 |title=Belgium joins multinational MRTT programme {{!}} Jane's 360 |url=http://www.janes.com/article/77945/belgium-joins-multinational-mrtt-programme |access-date=2025-02-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217115439/http://www.janes.com/article/77945/belgium-joins-multinational-mrtt-programme |archive-date=17 February 2018 }}</ref> In 2023 Belgium decided to invest another 265 million euros to contract a second A330 in the MRTT fleet.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-23 |title=België tekent voor tweede tankvliegtuig in NAVO-vloot |url=https://www.hln.be/binnenland/belgie-tekent-voor-tweede-tankvliegtuig-in-navo-vloot~a43efddd/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=[[Het Laatste Nieuws]] |language=nl}}</ref> Delivery of this second airplane is scheduled for 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Courtial |first=Marie-Madeleine |date=2025-02-20 |title=La flotte multinationale MRTT a réceptionné son 9ème appareil |url=https://defencebelgium.com/2025/02/20/la-flotte-multinationale-mrtt-a-receptionne-son-9eme-appareil/ |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=À l'Avant-Garde |language=fr-FR}}</ref>


The new Belgian government announced its intention to order up to 21 additional fighter jets on top of the 34 already ordered.<ref>{{Cite web |title=RegeerAkkoord NL DEF.pdf {{!}} PDF |url=https://www.scribd.com/document/822650014/RegeerAkkoord-NL-DEF-pdf#from_embed |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=Scribd |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Belgium signals F-35 fleet expansion amid transatlantic sparks |url=https://bulgarianmilitary.com/amp/2025/04/24/belgium-signals-f-35-fleet-expansion-amid-transatlantic-sparks/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=bulgarianmilitary.com}}</ref>

=== Retired aircraft===
Below is a list of some notable retired aircraft 
[[File:North American T-6G Texan 2013 5.JPG|thumb|T6 Harvard war bird in flight]]
[[File:HSS-1 (S-58) Belgian Air Force (25935054602).jpg|thumb|right|A Belgian S-58 on lift off]]
[[File:Belgium Fouga Magister.jpg|thumb|A Belgian Fouga Magister]]
[[File:Westland Sea King Mk 48 Belgium - Air Force RS04 (cropped).jpg|thumb|The [[Westland Sea King]] helicopter]]
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Origin
! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; background:#acc;"|Variant
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|In service
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Notes
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Military aircraft#Combat aircraft|Combat aircraft]]
|-
|[[Fairey Battle]]
|[[United Kingdom]]
|[[Bomber]]
|
|14<ref name="Aéronautique Militaire Belge: Order of Battle">{{cite web|url =http://france1940.free.fr/belgique/amb_may.html|title =Aéronautique Militaire Belge: Order of Battle|publisher =belgique/amb|year =1995|access-date =21 April 2017|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20180522064240/http://france1940.free.fr/belgique/amb_may.html|archive-date =22 May 2018|url-status =live|df =dmy-all}}</ref>
|
|-
|[[Fairey Fox]]
|United Kingdom
|[[Light bomber]]
|[[Fairey Fox#Variants|II, III, VI, VIII]]
|115<ref name="Aéronautique Militaire Belge: Order of Battle"/>
|
|-
|[[Fiat CR.42]]
|[[Italy]]
|[[Fighter aircraft|Fighter]] 
|
|23<ref name="Aéronautique Militaire Belge: Order of Battle"/>
|
|-
|[[Gloster Gladiator]]
|United Kingdom
|Fighter
|
|15<ref name="Aéronautique Militaire Belge: Order of Battle"/>
|
|-
|[[Supermarine Spitfire]]
|United Kingdom
|Fighter
|[[Supermarine Spitfire (Griffon-powered variants)#FR Mk XIV|FR Mk XIV]]
|53<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.belgian-wings.be/Webpages/Navigator/Photos/MilltaryPics/post_ww2/Supermarine%20Spitfire%20XIV/Supermarine%20Spitfire%20FR.14%20Frontpage.html |title= Supermarine Spitfire |publisher= belgian-wings.be |access-date= 26 April 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170331205811/http://www.belgian-wings.be/Webpages/Navigator/Photos/MilltaryPics/post_ww2/Supermarine%20Spitfire%20XIV/Supermarine%20Spitfire%20FR.14%20Frontpage.html |archive-date= 31 March 2017 |url-status= live |df= dmy-all }}</ref>
|
|-
|[[Gloster Meteor]]
|United Kingdom
|Fighter 
|[[Gloster Meteor#Variants|F.4/F.8/NF.11]]<ref name="baemeteor">{{cite web|url=https://www.baesystems.com/sites/ContentServer?c=BAEHeritage_C&childpagename=Belgium%2FBAELayout&cid=1434575587639&d=&pagename=BelgiumWrapper|title=Gloster Meteor|access-date=2022-01-31|website=BAE Systems}}</ref>
|347
|The NF.11 served as a [[night fighter]]
|-
|[[Hawker Hurricane]]
|United Kingdom
|Fighter
|[[Hawker Hurricane variants#Hurricane Mk I|Mk I]]
|11<ref name="Aéronautique Militaire Belge: Order of Battle"/>
|License built by [[SABCA]]<ref name="World Air Forces 1955 pg. 618">{{cite web |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1955/1955%20-%200618.html|title = World Air Forces 1955 pg. 618  |publisher= Flightglobal Insight |year= 1955 |access-date= 21 April 2017}}</ref>
|-
|[[Avro CF-100 Canuck]]
|[[Canada]]
|[[Interceptor aircraft|Interceptor]]
|[[Avro CF-100 Canuck#Variants|CF-100 Mk 5]]
|53<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.belgian-wings.be/Webpages/Navigator/Photos/MilltaryPics/post_ww2/Avro%20Canada%20CF100%20Canuck/canuck%20frontpage.htm |title= Avro Canada CF100 Canuck Mk.5 |publisher= belgian-wings.be |access-date= 26 April 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160607151412/http://www.belgian-wings.be/Webpages/Navigator/Photos/MilltaryPics/post_ww2/Avro%20Canada%20CF100%20Canuck/canuck%20frontpage.htm |archive-date= 7 June 2016 |url-status= live |df= dmy-all }}</ref>
|In service 1957 - 1964
|-
|[[Republic F-84 Thunderjet]]
|[[United States]]
|[[Fighter-bomber]]
|[[Republic F-84 Thunderjet#Variants|F-84E/H]]
|213<ref name="World Air Forces 1955 pg. 618"/>
|In service 1951 - 1956
|-
|[[Republic F-84F Thunderstreak]]
|United States
|Fighter-bomber
|F-84F
|231<ref name="World Air Forces 1955 pg. 618"/>
|In service 1955 - 1972
|-
|[[Lockheed F-104 Starfighter]]
|United States
|Interceptor
|[[List of Lockheed F-104 Starfighter variants#F-104G|F-104G]]
|100<ref name="World Air Forces 1976 pg. 1720">{{cite web|url =https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1976/1976%20-%201088.html|title =World Air Forces 1976 pg. 1720|publisher =Flightglobal Insight|year =1976|access-date =4 April 2017|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20160305155801/https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1976/1976%20-%201088.html|archive-date =5 March 2016|url-status =live|df =dmy-all}}</ref>
|In service 1963 - 1983
|-
|[[Dassault Mirage 5]]
|[[France]]
|Bomber
|[[Mirage 5#Variants|BA]]
|63<ref name="World Air Forces 1976 pg. 1720"/>
|In service 1970 - 1994
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Reconnaissance aircraft|Reconnaissance]]
|-
|[[Dassault Mirage 5]]
|France
|[[Reconnaissance aircraft|Reconnaissance]]
|[[Mirage 5#Variants|BR]]
|27<ref name="World Air Forces 1976 pg. 1720"/>
|In service 1971 - 1994
|-
|[[Republic F-84F Thunderstreak|Republic RF-84F Thunderflash]]
|United States
|Reconnaissance
|RF-84F
|34<ref name="World Air Forces 1955 pg. 618"/>
|In service 1955 - 1972
|-
|[[Renard R.31]]
|[[Belgium]]
|Observation
|
|19<ref name="Aéronautique Militaire Belge: Order of Battle"/>
|
|-
|[[Auster AOP.6]]
|United Kingdom
|Observation
|
|22<ref name="World Air Forces 1976 pg. 1720"/>
|In service 1947 - 1955
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Military transport aircraft|Transport]]
|-
|[[Douglas C-54 Skymaster|Douglas C-54]]
|United States
|[[Military transport aircraft|Transport]]
|
|2<ref name="World Air Forces 1955 pg. 618"/>
|In service 1950 - 1971
|-
|[[Lockheed C-130 Hercules|C-130 Hercules]]
|United States
|[[Airlift#Tactical airlift|Tactical airlifter]]
|[[Lockheed C-130 Hercules#Variants|C-130H]]
|12<ref name="c130">{{cite web|url=https://www.brusselstimes.com/belgium-all-news/198363/belgium-retires-its-c-130s-after-50-years-of-service|title=Belgium retires its C-130s after 50 years of service|work=Brussels Times|date=2021-12-19|access-date=2021-12-26}}</ref>
|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<ref name="erj"/>
|In service 2014 - 2020 (Leased from HiFly)
|-
|[[Dassault Falcon 20]]
|France
|[[Air transports of heads of state and government|VIP transport]]
|Falcon 20E
|2 <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aviation24.be/military-aircraft/belgian-air-component/retires-cm-02-43-years-vip-flights|title=Belgian Air Component retires CM-02 after 43 years of VIP flights|first=Bart|last=Noëth|date=2016-12-22|access-date=2021-11-15|work=Aviation24}}</ref>
|In service 1973 - 2016
|-
|[[Dassault Falcon 900]]
|France
|VIP transport
|Falcon 900B
|1 (CD-01) <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.belgian-wings.be/dassault-falcon-900b|title=Dassault Falcon 900B|access-date=2024-11-29|work=belgian-wings.be}}</ref>
|In service 1995 - 2019
|-
|[[Embraer ERJ family|Embraer ERJ145]]
|[[Brazil]]
|VIP transport
| 
|2<ref name="erj"/>
|In service 2001 - 2020 
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Helicopter]]s
|-
|[[Sikorsky S-58]]
|United States
|[[Search and rescue|SAR]]
|[[Sikorsky S-58|S-58C]]
|11<ref name="World Air Forces 1976 pg. 1720"/>
|In service 1961 - 1986
|-
|[[Westland Sea King]]
|United Kingdom
|SAR
|[[Westland Sea King#Variants|Sea King Mk. 48]]
|5<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.janes.com/article/85343/belgium-retires-sea-king-helos |title= Belgium retires Sea kings |publisher= janes.com |access-date=30 November 2019}}</ref>
|In service 1976 - 2019
|-
|[[Aérospatiale Alouette III]]
|France
|[[Liaison aircraft|Liaison]] 
|
|3<ref name="alu"/>
|In service 1971 - 2021 - Flown for the [[Belgian Navy]]
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Trainer aircraft]]
|-
|[[Gloster Meteor]]
|United Kingdom
|[[Jet trainer]]
|[[Gloster Meteor#Variants|T.7]]<ref name="baemeteor"/>
|43
|
|-
|[[Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star]] 
|United States
|Jet trainer
|T-33A
|12<ref name="World Air Forces 1976 pg. 1720"/>
|
|-
|[[Fouga CM.170 Magister]]
|France
|Jet trainer
|
|45<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.belgian-wings.be/potez-air-fouga-cm-170-1-magister |title= Potez-Air Fouga CM.170-1 Magister |publisher= belgian-wings |date=|accessdate=4 July 2021}}</ref>
|
|-
|[[North American T-6 Texan]]
|United States
|[[Trainer aircraft|Trainer]]
|
|148<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.belgian-wings.be/north-american-t-6-harvard-base |title= North American T-6 Texan |publisher= belgian-wings |date=|accessdate=4 July 2021}}</ref>
|In service 1947 - 1962
|-
|[[Lockheed F-104 Starfighter]]
|United States
|[[Trainer aircraft#Operational conversion|Conversion trainer]]
|[[List of Lockheed F-104 Starfighter variants#TF-104G|TF-104G]]
|12<ref name="World Air Forces 1976 pg. 1720"/>
|In service 1965 - 1987
|-
|[[Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet|Alpha Jet]]
|France / [[Germany]]
|[[Light combat aircraft|Light attack]] / Trainer
|Alpha Jet B
|33<ref name="alphajets">{{cite web|url=https://skiesmag.com/news/top-aces-acquires-belgian-alpha-jets/|title=Top Aces acquires 25 Belgian Air Force Alpha Jets|first=Laurent|last=Heyligen|date=2020-07-09|access-date=2021-11-25|work=ISkies}}</ref>
|In service 1978 - 2020
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7"| [[Unmanned aerial vehicle]]s
|-
|[[IAI RQ-5 Hunter|IAI B-Hunter]]
|[[Israel]] / United States
|Reconnaissance
|
|11<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/news/defense-aviation-news/2020/september/6535-belgian-air-component-withdraws-last-b-hunter-uav-from-service.html|title =Belgian Air Component withdraws last B-Hunter UAV from service|website= airrecognition.com |date=2020-09-01|access-date=2021-11-24}}</ref>
|In service 2004 - 2020
|}

==Personnel==
===Officer ranks===
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Air Forces/OF/Belgium}}
|}

===Other ranks===
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Air Forces/OR/Belgium}}
|}

== Future ==
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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vandeput.fgov.be/sites/default/files/articles/Request+for+Government+Proposal_0.pdf|title=Steven Vandeput – Minister of Defence, in charge of the Civil Service|website=www.vandeput.fgov.be}} {{Dead link|date=June 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

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 to [[Top Aces]] in July 2020.<ref name="alphajets"/> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sheppard.af.mil/Units/80th-Flying-Training-Wing/|title=80TH FLYING TRAINING WING|website=www.sheppard.af.mil|access-date=2021-11-25}}</ref> In addition, the three Alouette III helicopters flown for the Belgian Navy were phased out in 2021 after 50 years of operational service.<ref name="alu"/>

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.<ref name="BelgiumReuters"/><ref name="BelgiumDefenseNews"/>

In 2018 the Belgian Government approved the negotiations to acquire two [[General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper|General Atomics MQ-9B]] SkyGuardian MALE drones which are planned to be operational from 2023, replacing the IAI Hunter drones phased out since early 2021.<ref name="tthbhunter">{{cite web|url=https://www.mil.be/nl/persberichten/transitie-van-defensie-maatregelen-voor-de-nh-90-tth-variant-en-de-b-hunter|title=Transitie van defensie: maatregelen voor de NH-90 TTH-variant en de B-Hunter|access-date=25 June 2020|date=24 June 2020|website=mil.be|language=nl}}</ref>

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<ref name="c130"/> after 50 years for service to the Belgian Air Force.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mil.be/nl/materiaal/airbus-a400m-atlas|language=nl|title=AIRBUS A400M ATLAS|access-date=7 May 2020|website=mil.be}}</ref>

Belgium contributes one [[Airbus A330 MRTT#Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport Fleet|Airbus 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.<ref name="erj">{{cite web|url=https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/final-flight-for-belgian-air-force-airbus-a321|title=Final flight for Belgian Air Force Airbus A321|website=scramble.nl|access-date=2021-11-24|date=2020-12-28}}</ref>

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 the [[Eurocopter EC145|Airbus H145M]], up to 15 could be ordered to replace both the NH90-TTH and the remaining Agusta A109BA's.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Moet de "nieuwe" NH-90 helikopter van de luchtmacht alweer plaats maken voor een nieuw toestel?|url=https://www.belgiandefencenews.be/news/moet-de-nieuwe-nh-90-helikopter-van-de-luchtmacht-alweer-plaats-maken-voor-een-nieuw-toestel/|access-date=2020-10-06|website=Belgian Defence News|language=nl}}</ref><ref name="airbus.com"/>

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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Leger krijgt extra budget voor heli's, personeel en digitale bescherming|url=https://www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf20220121_94502119|access-date=2022-01-22|work=[[De Standaard]]|date=21 January 2022 |language=nl-BE}}</ref>

In August 2022 the Belgian Parliament approved the new law on military programming, the STAR-plus plan; the Air Component 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:

* 15 Airbus H145m (budget: €250 million)
* 10 heavy transport helicopters (budget: €612 million)
* 4 SAR helicopters (budget: €181 million)
* 4 existing NH90 NFH helicopters for all naval tasks

This would replace the current fleet of 20 helicopters (12 Agusta A109 and 8 NH90) with a fleet of 33 helicopters.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Helispot.be {{!}} Helikopters BE |url=https://www.helispot.be/hs/page/detail.asp?oid=c6b3g8D2&sub=logboek |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=www.helispot.be}}</ref>

==List of obsolete weapons and equipment==
* [[MIM-23 Hawk]] surface-to-air missile
* [[Nike Hercules]] surface-to-surface missile

==See also==
* [[List of Lockheed F-104 Starfighter operators]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
*{{cite journal |last1=De Vink|first1=Hervé|title=Adieu au "Dakota" de la Force aérienne belge|journal=Le Fana de l'Aviation |date=August 1976 |issue=81 |pages=17–19 |issn=0757-4169 |language=fr|trans-title=Farewell to the Dakotas of the Belgian Air Force}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Duwelz|first1=Yves|title=Les Blériot XI de l'aviation militaire belge |journal=Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire |date=February 2002 |issue=107 |pages=56–60|trans-title=The Bleriot XIs of the Belgian Air Component |language=fr |issn=1243-8650}}
* {{cite book |last=Pacco |first=John |title=Belgisch Leger/Armee Belge: Het Militair Vliegwezen/l'Aeronautique Militaire 1930–1940 |publisher=Aartselaar |location=Belgium |year=2003 |isbn= 90-801136-6-2}}
* {{cite book |last=Pieters |first=Walter M. |title=Above Flanders' Fields: A Complete Record of the Belgian Fighter Pilots and Their Units During the Great War, 1914–1918 |publisher=Grub Street |year=1998 |isbn=978-1-898697-83-1}}
* Silvester, John. "Call to Arms: The Percival Sea Prince and Pembroke". ''Air Enthusiast'', No. 55, Autumn 1994, pp.&nbsp;56–61. {{ISSN|0143-5450}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Wauthy|first1=Jean-Luc|last2=de Neve|first2=Florian|name-list-style=amp|title=Les aéronefs de la Force Aérienne Belge, deuxième partie 1919–1935|journal=Le Fana de l'Aviation  |date=June 1995 |issue=305 |pages=28–33 |issn=0757-4169|language=fr|trans-title=Aircraft of the Belgian Air Force}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Air force of Belgium}}
*Official website Belgian Air Force | [http://www.mil.be/nl/luchtcomponent DEFENSIE Uw toekomst. Onze missie.]
*Official website Belgian Ministry of Defense - News | [https://www.belgiandefencenews.be Belgiandefencenews.be]

{{Belgian military}}
{{Allied Air Command}}
{{Air forces in Europe}}
{{Air forces}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Belgian Air Component| ]]
[[Category:Aviation in Belgium]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1909]]
[[Category:1909 establishments in Belgium]]