Colonel Harold VAN PEE,
Former Director F-16 replacement program, Belgian Defence
Having served with the Belgian Air Force for 4 decades already with 10 more years to go, the F-16 combat aircraft will see itself replaced by the middle of the next decade. The F-35 Lightning II came out on top in a fiercely fought competition, initiated in 2014 and awarded in October 2018.
The presentation will guide you through the requirements and the defining moments of this competition which, with its 4 billion euros investment cost, was one the biggest individual competitive tenders ever undertaken by the Belgian government.
Throughout the presentation, you will discover that the F-35 weapon system and its vast operational capabilities will bring more than just a one-for-one replacement of the F-16 weapon system. This will have a profound impact on how the Belgian Air Force and by extension, the whole of Belgian Defence will operate.