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Belgian Air Component

(Redirected fromBelgian Air Force)

TheBelgian Air and Space Component(Dutch:Luchtcomponent,French:Composante air) is theair armof theBelgian Armed Forces,[2][3]and until January 2002 it was officially known as theBelgian Air Force(Dutch:Belgische Luchtmacht;French:Force aérienne belge). It was founded in 1909 and is one of the world's oldest air services.

Belgian Air and Space Component
  • Luchtcomponent(Dutch)
  • Composante air(French)
Belgian Air Component wings
Founded1909
CountryBelgium
TypeAir force
RoleAerial warfare
Size6,500(2019)[1]
119 aircraft and UAV's
Part ofBelgian Armed Forces
Websitemil.be
Commanders
Current
commander		Major GeneralThierry Dupont
Insignia
Roundel
Fin flash
Ensign
Aircraft flown
FighterF-16A
HelicopterNH90,AW109BA
TrainerF-16B,SF.260
TransportA400M Atlas,Dassault Falcon 7X
TankerA330 MRTT(NATO MRTT unit)

The commander isMajor GeneralThierry Dupont, appointed on 17 September 2020.[4]

History

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Foundation and early years

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Luchtcomponent was founded in 1909 as a branch of theBelgian Army,carrying the nameCompagnie des Ouvriers et Aérostiers.[5]King Albert's interest in the military use of aircraft was the main impetus for its formation. Coincidentally, in the civil aviation sector,BaronPierre de Catersearned 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'sbrevetbefore their military one.[6]

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.[6]

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.[6]

On 12 September 1912, pilot Lieutenant Nelis and observerSous LieutenantStellingwerff were the first Europeans to fire amachine gunfrom 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 accompaniedCapitaine CommandantÉmile Mathieu to England during November 1913 to demonstrate aerial use of theLewis machine gunatHendonandAldershot;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.[7]

World War I

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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 theAviation Militaire Belge(Belgische militaire luchtvaart), consisted of four squadrons, each consisting of four 80-horsepowerFarmanaircraft, althoughEscadrillesIII 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 withBleriots.[8]

Sous LieutenantHenri Crombez flew one of the first war patrols, in aDeperdussin raceron 4 August 1914 above Liège.[9]Adjutant Behaeghe was the first to engage an enemy, a few days later. On 26 September, the Belgian air crew ofSous Lieutenantde Petrowski and Sergeant Benselin mortally wounded a German pilot with a rifle bullet and forced hisTaubeto land atSint-Agatha-Berchem;if they had submitted a claim for this victory, its approval would have marked history's first air-to-air combat victory.[10]

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 tenAlbatrosesagainst three Belgian Farmans. On 26 March,Sous LieutenantBoschmans 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.[11]

In April, LieutenantFernand Jacquetmounted a machine gun on hispusheraircraft 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 overRoeselare.Apparently at about the same time, AdjutantJosé OrtaandSous LieutenantLouis de Burletwere the first to attack an enemyobservation balloonwhen they dropped three small bombs on a gasbag overHouthulst,however they either did not hit, or failed to explode.[11]

Sopwith Camelin 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 the1ère Escadrille de Chasse.It consisted of newly suppliedNieuport 10sand one obsolete Farman two-seater. In August, the new squadron would upgrade toNieuport 11s,andEscadrille Vwas turned into the5ème 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.[12]

In the summer of 1917, the AMB was allotted an active role in Allied aviation operations at the beginning of theThird Battle of Ypres.In March 1918, the AMB matured into aGroupe de Chasse.At this time, the role of theEscadrilles de Chassewas 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,1ère Escadrille de Chassebecame9ème Escadrille de Chasse,and5ème Escadrille de Chassebecame10ème Escadrille de Chasse.The11ème Escadrille de Chassewas 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.[13]

Aircraft procurement difficulties

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In June 1916 the nascent air force had received newer aircraft from the French in both single and double-seat versions of theNieuport 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.[14]The introduction dates of various types, compared to the date of their acquisition by the Belgians, tells the tale. The Belgians gotNieuport 16sat the end of 1916. TheNieuport 17came 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 newerNieuport 23s,which were basically up-engined Nieuport 17s.Spad VIIshad 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 theHanriot HD.1supplied to it the year after it was introduced.Spad XIIIsalso came on line that month, but would not show up in Belgian inventory until the next year.Sopwith Camelsfirst went into service in May 1917 and the AMB received its first one on 29 November 1917.[15]

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.[16]

Operational summary

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One of itsflying acepilots,Willy Coppens,became the top rankingballoon busterof 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,[17]Edmond Thieffry,[18]Jan Olieslagers,[19]andFernand Jacquet.[20]

The fledgling air force was entrusted with flying bothKing AlbertandQueen Elisabethover the battle front at times.[21]

Between the world wars

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BelgianFairey Firefly II,1931

During theinterwar period,the Belgian Army Air Force flew theBreguet 19.Some efforts were made to acquire aircraft from local production, such as those byStampe et VertongenandRenard.They also evaluated native designs like theACAZ C.2andLACAB GR.8,none of which entered mass production however.

World War II

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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 theRenard R-31andR-32,theFiat CR.42 Falco,theHawker Hurricane,theGloster Gladiator,theFairey Fox,and theFairey 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 theAviation Militairewith foreign designs, ordering production licences inPolandandFranceand 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 toFranceand to theUnited Kingdom.

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 theRoyal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.This small force was active within the BritishRoyal Air Force,and its squadrons were equipped with theSupermarine SpitfireandHawker Typhoon.[citation needed]

The Cold War

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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 (Ecole de Pilotage Avancé) operated Harvards from theKaminamilitary base in theBelgian Congo.[22]Seemingly about 60 Harvards were at the base.

Post-Cold War reforms

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AnAgusta A109BAof 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 inBeauvechain;the 9th Training Wing inSint-Truiden Air Base;and the Elementary Flying School inGoetsenhoven(1996).

In 2002, the Belgian government decided to emulateCanadaand 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 the2nd Tactical WinginFlorennes Air Baseand the10th Tactical WinginKleine 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. The1st WingatBeauvechain Air Baseis assigned for the training of pilots, using the piston-poweredAermacchi SF.260for elementary training, and theAlpha Jetfor advanced training. Advanced combat training is done on F-16's atKleine Brogel.[23]COMOPSAIR still operates theLockheedC-130 Herculesin the15th Air Transport Wingbased atMelsbroek Air Base,planning to replace them by sevenAirbus A400Mtransport aircraft. VIPs are transported withEmbraer 135/145jets,[24]Dassault 20/900,and theAirbus A321.TheSea KingSAR helicopters were phased out in March 2019 after more than 40 years of service and replaced byNH90s(4 NFH + 4 TTH). TheAlouette IIIhelicopters flown for the Belgian Navy in a utility-role were phased out in 2021.[25]

In 2004, as part of the unified structure, the Army Aviation units of theWing Heliwere transferred to the COMOPSAIR. These contain theAgusta A109attack helicopter, and theAlouette IItraining and recce helicopter. In 2005, the BelgianAlpha Jetsmoved to Cazaux in France to continue theInitial Operational Training,while the Advanced Jet Training was done on FrenchAlpha Jetsat 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 theRapid Reaction Forces. In February 2008, Defense MinisterPieter De Cremannounced that due to increasing problems and poor serviceability, the twoA310swere to be replaced as soon as possible by two aircraft in the same class. AnAirbus A330was dry-leased to take their place till March 2014 where it was replaced by anAirbus A321. On September 1, 2010, theWing Heliin Bierset was disbanded and theAgusta A109helicopters moved toBeauvechain Air Baseto become1st Wing.TheSF260squadrons became part of theBasic Flying Training School. On May 24, 2011, it was reported that the two retired Airbus A310 aircraft have been sold to theBrussels-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 unspecifiedAbu Dhabi-based operator.[citation needed]

1990s

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In January 1991, 18 Mirage 5 aircraft of the 3rd Tactical Wing were deployed toTurkey'sDiyarbakırair 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 atEindhovenafter 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 theHerculesramp.

From October 1996, the Belgian Air Force cooperated with the Dutch Royal 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 ofVillafrancaandAmendola,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 March 24 and June 10, 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 – againstSerbiaduring theKosovocrisis. The last Belgian F-16 detachment leftItalyin August 2001.

2000s

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On 29 March 2004, four F-16s fromKleine Brogelwere transferred underNATO'sBaltic Air Policingmission to theŠiauliai Air BaseinLithuaniafor three months, where they were employed in monitoring theLithuanian,Latvian,andEstonianskies.

In 2005, the Helicopter Wing (WHeli – HeliW) deployed four A-109 (including one Medevac) inTuzla,Bosnia. In July, four F-16s deployed toAfghanistanto support theNATOInternational Security Assistance Force.[26]From June to October 2005, the80th UAV Squadrondeployed its B-Hunter in Tuzla.[27][28]

In 2006, Belgian Hunterunmanned air vehiclesdeployed to theDemocratic Republic of the Congoas part of theEUEUFORpeacekeepingmission. At the same time, the Helicopter Wing (WHeli – HeliW) deployed three A-109 (including 1 Medevac) in Mostar, Bosnia, in Operation Blue Bee.[29]

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.[30]

From August 2008, four F-16s were deployed to Kandahar in Afghanistan in support of the Dutch land forces.[31]

In March 2011, Belgium deployed six F-16 fighters toAraxosin Greece, in support ofOperation Odyssey Dawn,to support the NATO operations over Libya.[32]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.

The display F-16AM arriving at the 2017RIAT,England

2010/2020s

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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.[33][34][35]

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 theŠiauliai Air Baseto take charge ofNATO's Air Policingmission over theBaltic states.[36][37]

Between October 2014 and July 2015 six Lockheed Martin F-16AM Fighting Falcons were deployed under Operation Desert Falcon toMuwaffaq Salti Air Baseas part ofmilitary intervention against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.[38]

On 11 October 2018, one Belgian F-16 was completely destroyed and a second damaged, in a fire atFlorennes Air Base,reportedly caused by the accidental firing of a cannon.[39][40]

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 theEurofighter Typhooncame 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.[41][42]

On 19 September 2019, a Belgian Air Force F-16 crashed in France.[43]

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 4 heavy transport helicopters (CH47F) to replace the 4 TTH90's whereby closer cooperation with the Netherlands Air Force is considered.[44]

Joint air policing

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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 theRoyal Netherlands Air Forcewill take turns keeping twoF-16son quick reaction alert (QRA) defending the airspace of all threeBeneluxcountries. The agreement could allow the Belgian minister of defence to order a Dutch aircraft to use lethal force over Belgian airspace, and vice versa.Luxembourg,while currently covered by Belgian QRA, does not allow the use of lethal force over its territory.[45]

Organization

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The organization of the aircomponent 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 Bevekom and Koksijde
    • Meteo Wing (weather forecasting for the airforce)
    • Air traffic control centre in Steenokkerzeel
    • Control and Reporting Centre in Bevekom
    • Aviation Safety Directorate (in charge of aviation safety)
    • Airforce Competence Centre (in charge of training flying and non-flying personnel) in Bevekom
    • 10th tactical wing
      • 31st fighter squadron with F-16
      • 349th fighter squadron with F-16
      • operations conversion unit
      • operations squadron
      • maintenance group
      • defence and support group
    • 2nd tactical wing
      • 1st fighter squadron with F-16
      • 350th fighter squadron with F-16
      • operations conversion unit
      • operations squadron
      • maintenance group
      • defence and support group
      • 2nd squadron, to be equipped with 4 MQ-9 drones
    • 15th wing airtransport in Melsbroek with 8 A400M transport aircraft (7 Belgium & 1 Luxembourg) and 2 Dassault Falcon 7X jets

Aircraft

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Current aircraft

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A Belgian F-16AM flies nearKandahar Airfield
NH90 NFH on display atFlorennes Air Base
Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Combat aircraft
F-16 Fighting Falcon United States Multirole fighter F-16A 45[46]
F-35 Lightning II United States Multirole fighter F-35A 1 33 on order[46]
Transport
Airbus A400M Atlas Europe Transport 7[46] [46]
Helicopters
AgustaWestland AW109 Italy Medevac/ Scout A109BA 12[46] Will be replaced by EC145
Eurocopter EC145 Germany Utility 15 on order[47]
NHIndustries NH90 France/ Italy SAR/ Utility NFH90/TTH90 4/4[46] 4 NFH90 flown for Belgian Navy
Trainer
SIAI-Marchetti SF.260 Italy Trainer 29[46]
F-16 Fighting Falcon United States Conversion trainer F-16B 8[46]
UCAV
MQ-9 Reaper United States Strike/Surveillance SkyGuardian 4 on order[48]

NOTE: Belgium is participating in the NATO MRTT unit with the use of anAirbus A330 MRTT[49]

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.[50]

Retired aircraft

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Below is a list of some notable retired aircraft

T6 Harvard war bird in flight
A Belgian S-58 on lift off
A Belgian Fouga Magister
TheWestland Sea Kinghelicopter
Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Combat aircraft
Fairey Battle United Kingdom Bomber 14[51]
Fairey Fox United Kingdom Light bomber II, III, VI, VIII 115[51]
Fiat CR.42 Italy Fighter 23[51]
Gloster Gladiator United Kingdom Fighter 15[51]
Supermarine Spitfire United Kingdom Fighter FR Mk XIV 53[52]
Gloster Meteor United Kingdom Fighter F.4/F.8/NF.11[53] 304 The NF.11 served as anight fighter
Hawker Hurricane United Kingdom Fighter Mk I 11[51] License built bySABCA[54]
Avro CF-100 Canuck Canada Interceptor CF-100 Mk 5 53[55] In service 1957 - 1964
Republic F-84 Thunderjet United States Fighter-bomber F-84E/H 213[54] In service 1951 - 1956
Republic F-84F Thunderstreak United States Fighter-bomber F-84F 197[54] In service 1955 - 1972
Lockheed F-104 Starfighter United States Interceptor F-104G 100[56] In service 1963 - 1983
Dassault Mirage 5 France Bomber BA 63[56] In service 1970 - 1994
Reconnaissance
Dassault Mirage 5 France Reconnaissance BR 27[56] In service 1971 - 1994
Republic RF-84F Thunderflash United States Reconnaissance RF-84F 34[54] In service 1955 - 1972
Renard R.31 Belgium Observation 19[51]
Auster AOP.6 United Kingdom Observation 22[56] In service 1947 - 1955
Transport
Douglas C-54 United States Transport 2[54] In service 1950 - 1971
C-130 Hercules United States Tactical airlift C-130H 12[57] 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[58] In service 2014 - 2020 (Leased from HiFly)
Dassault Falcon 20 France VIP transport Falcon 20E 2[59] In service 1973 - 2016
Embraer ERJ145 Brazil VIP transport 2[58] In service 2001 - 2020
Helicopters
Sikorsky S-58 United States SAR S-58C 11[56] In service 1961 - 1986
Westland Sea King United Kingdom SAR Sea King Mk. 48 5[60] In service 1976 - 2019
Aérospatiale Alouette III France Liaison 3[25] In service 1971 - 2021 - Flown for theBelgian Navy
Trainer aircraft
Gloster Meteor United Kingdom Jet trainer T.7[53] 43
Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star United States Jet trainer T-33A 12[56]
Fouga CM.170 Magister France Jet trainer 45[61]
North American T-6 Texan United States Trainer 148[62] In service 1947 - 1962
Lockheed F-104 Starfighter United States Conversion trainer TF-104G 12[56] In service 1965 - 1987
Alpha Jet France /Germany Trainer /Light attack Alpha Jet B 33[63] In service 1978 - 2020
Unmanned aerial vehicle
IAI B-Hunter United States /Israel Reconnaissance 11[64] In service 2004 - 2020

Personnel

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Officer ranks

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NATO code OF-10 OF-9 OF-8 OF-7 OF-6 OF-5 OF-4 OF-3 OF-2 OF-1
Belgian Air Component[65]
Generaal Luitenant-generaal Generaal-majoor Brigadegeneraal Kolonel Luitenant-kolonel Majoor Kapitein-commandant Kapitein Luitenant Onderluitenant
Général Lieutenant général Général-major Général de Brigade Colonel Lieutenant-colonel Major Capitaine-commandant Capitaine Lieutenant Sous-lieutenant
General Generalleutnant Generalmajor Brigadegeneral Oberst Oberstleutnant Major Stabshauptmann Hauptmann Leutnant Unterleutnant

Other ranks

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NATO code OR-9 OR-8 OR-7 OR-6 OR-5 OR-4 OR-3 OR-2 OR-1
Belgian Air Component[65]
 No insignia
Adjudant-Majoor Adjudant-chef Adjudant 1ste sergeant-majoor 1ste sergeant-chef 1ste sergeant Sergeant 1ste korporaal-chef Korporaal-chef Korporaal 1ste soldaat Soldaat
Adjudant-Major Adjudant-chef Adjudant 1er sergeant-major 1er sergeant-chef 1er sergeant Sergeant 1er caporal-chef Caporal-chef Caporal 1er soldat Soldat
Majoradjutant Chefadjudant Adjudant 1er Sergeant Major 1er Sergeant Chef 1er Sergeant Sergeant 1er Korporal Chef Korporal Chef Korporal 1er soldat Soldat

Future

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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.[66]

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 toTop Acesin July 2020.[63]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.[67]In addition, the three Alouette III helicopters flown for the Belgian Navy were phased out in 2021 after 50 years of operational service.[25]

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.[41][42]

In 2018 the Belgian Government approved the negotiations to acquire twoGeneral Atomics MQ-9BSkyGuardian MALE drones which are planned to be operational from 2023, replacing the IAI Hunter drones phased out since early 2021.[68]

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 December 17 2021[57]after 50 years for service to the Belgian Air Force.[69]

Belgium contributes oneAirbus A330 MRTTtanker 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.[58]

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 theAirbus H145M,up to 15 could be ordered to replace both the NH90-TTH and the remaining Agusta A109BAi's.[70][71]

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.[72]

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 ten Agusta A109Bai 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 light helicopters (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 18 helicopters (10 Agusta A109 and 8 NH90) with a fleet of 33 helicopters.[73]

List of obsolete weapons and equipment

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See also

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References

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  1. ^"De Belgische Kamer van volksvertegenwoordigers".lachambre.be(in Dutch). 14 April 2016. Archived fromthe originalon 19 July 2021.Retrieved30 May2019.
  2. ^"La Défense"(in French).Archivedfrom the original on 1 April 2016.Retrieved25 March2016.
  3. ^"Defensie"(in Dutch).Archivedfrom the original on 20 March 2016.Retrieved25 March2016.
  4. ^"Vliegbasis van Kleine Brogel zwaait generaal-majoor Frederik Vansina uit".VRT NWS(in Dutch). 17 September 2020.Retrieved1 April2024.
  5. ^Van Humbeek, Frans & Van Caesbroeck, Paul (2015)."Licht Vliegwezenlaan (Brasschaat)".Hangar Flying: Online Database of the Belgian Aviation Heritage(in Dutch).Archivedfrom the original on 4 March 2016.Retrieved21 August2015.
  6. ^abcPieters 1998,p. 9.
  7. ^Pieters 1998,p. 11.
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Bibliography

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