The Florennes base is getting dressed up for the arrival of its first Belgian F-35s
(B2 in Florennes) The scheduled arrival of the F-35A, Belgium's new combat aircraft, will involve major changes, both in infrastructure and in recruitment, for the Belgian air force. Starting with the Florennes air base which will host the American aircraft
« Security will be increased with the arrival of the F-35s says a soldier to a small group of journalists, who 'forgot' to register in advance. From the outset, the tone is set. The first F-35As will arrive in 2025 » in Florennes *, one of the main Belgian airbases, located a few km from the French border, in what is called between Sambre-et-Meuse. While the 4 Reaper MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones will arrive in 2023.
A 'structural' and personal challenge
The arrival of these devices made in the US represents a " challenge " notes Defense Minister Didier Reynders. The arrival of these new tools requires major investment works » to arrange the base accordingly. It also requires new recruitments: of the order a hundred a year" on the sole basis of Florennes.
harden base
A " Special Access Schedule » will be put in place to ensure increased security of the site. The idea is to create new buildings that will house the heart of the F-35 system: flight simulators and maintenance. We do not take over an old building. " Security constraints are such that you can only build new explains General Frederik Vansina, head of the Belgian air component. The Americans demanded drastic measures to avoid any possibility of 'looting' of their new aircraft.
300 million euros for infrastructure at least
The outer fence will thus be reinforced. A fence will be installed around each facility inside the base. There is no question of having an eruption of pacifist activists like the last time in Kleine Brogel. This work will be spread over several years. They should, ideally, be finalized in 2026. Amount planned for infrastructure: 300 million euros, at the very least.
The F-35 club takes over from the F-16 club
Belgium is not alone in this 'challenge'. Six countries in Europe have already adopted the F-35, notably the Netherlands and Denmark, and had to carry out identical work. An asset for Belgium because they are the " usual partners » from Belgium. “We can talk about a standardization around this device argues the Belgian general. If the technicians will be trained in the United States, in Florida, the creation of a " european center is an idea on the table...
(Coline Traverson, st., review: NGV)
* Others will be stationed from 2027 at the Kleine Brogel base
More efficient equipment
The F-35 is a fifth-generation aircraft with a service life of " 40 to 50 years » and a capacity of "merge data". A real « iPhone flying " boasts General Frederik Vansina, quite proud of the latest acquisitions. The flight data will therefore be "available on a single screen and analyzed" whereas today they are compartmentalised. This permanent data link and the stealth » of the aircraft are a real novelty compared to the F-16. As for the MQ-9B Sky Guardian (two aircraft and two ground stations), built by General Atomics, they are more powerful than the old models with " 40 hours of endurance”. And, for the first time, they will be able to operating in the same airspace as civilian aircraft” because they will be equipped with a specific radar in their nose.