Denmark, Belgium Expand F-35 Jet Orders as NATO Boosts Defense Capabilities

Two NATO members Denmark and Belgium are ramping up their acquisition of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II fighter jets amid heightened defense spending across the alliance in response to Russia’s ongoing aggression.

Denmark announced plans to increase its order of the multirole stealth aircraft from 27 to 43, marking a major reinforcement of its air force.

“With the acquisition of 16 additional F-35 fighter jets, we deliver a historic strengthening of the Danish Air Force and the Danish Armed Forces,” Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said. “This agreement significantly increases the combat power of the Danish Armed Forces.”

The first F-35s arrived in Denmark in October 2023, with 15 now delivered and six still in the United States for pilot training. The remaining jets are expected to arrive by the end of 2026, with Denmark projected to achieve full operational capability in early 2027.

Meanwhile, Belgium received its first F-35A Lightning II at Florennes Air Base on Tuesday, flown directly from Lockheed Martin’s facility in Fort Worth, Texas. The delivery marks a new milestone for the Belgian Air Force, which has been training pilots at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona since January.

“With the F-35, Belgium is reclaiming its place among the world’s leading air forces, equipped with the most advanced technology,” said Major General Geert De Decker, Commander of the Belgian Air Force.

Belgium has also revised its procurement plans, increasing its total order from 35 to 46 jets after reassessing its defense strategy. The first batch of aircraft will be completed in the U.S., while the additional 11 will be built at the Cameri assembly facility in Italy.

To date, more than 1,100 F-35s have been sold globally, cementing the fighter jet as one of the most successful combat aircraft programs of the post–Cold War era.