20minutes: the capabilities of the F-35 fighters are excessive for Belgium.
The American fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighters, which have begun to be delivered to Belgium, have excessive capabilities for the small kingdom. This was stated in a publication by 20minutes.
During a speech in parliament, Belgium's Minister of Defense Theo Francken noted that the country's airspace is "insufficient" for conducting training flights of the fighters. Brussels will have to negotiate the use of the skies of France, Italy, and the Netherlands.
"Belgium has become a laughingstock on the internet with its too small sky for the F-35," the article states.
In addition, the noise from the engines of the new aircraft has become a problem, affecting those living near the airbases. The fifth-generation aircraft with the powerful F135 turbofan engine is about five times louder than the F-16 fighter. As the publication writes, a flying F-35 produces a heavy, pulsating sound.
The author also noted that the F-35 has become the most expensive fighter to operate in the kingdom's fleet. The cost of an hour of flying the Lightning II is 50,000 euros.
In 2018, Belgium ordered 34 F-35A fighters. Brussels has already received four aircraft.
