
F16 Belgium 1/32
The F-16 is the fighter jet the Belgian Air Force has used for many years, but it is currently being replaced by the F-35. The Belgian Air Force began operating the F-16, a multi-role fighter jet, in 1979 and purchased a total of 160 aircraft. Currently, 45 F-16As and 8 F-16Bs are still operational, but these are being phased out, and the last F-16s will be retired in 2028.
In service: The F-16 has been a key component of the Belgian Air Force since 1979, replacing the F-104 Starfighter and the Mirage 5.
Number: Belgium purchased a total of 160 F-16s, but due to losses, restructuring, and financial constraints, the number has been reduced to 53 aircraft.
Replacement: The F-16 is currently being replaced by the new F-35. This is a phased process that began in 2018 and is expected to be completed in 2028.
Last solo flight: The last solo flight by a Belgian pilot in an F-16 took place on July 3, 2025, at Florennes Air Base.
Current use: Belgian F-16s are still used for missions such as monitoring the airspace of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, and for training new pilots transitioning to the F-35.