Belgium could see future F-35 fighter jets assembled in Italy rather than the United States, according to Defence Minister Theo Francken, who confirmed the potential shift following high-level discussions in Washington this week.
Currently, Belgium has ordered 34 F-35 stealth jets from American aerospace giant Lockheed Martin, with production based at the company’s primary facility in Fort Worth, Texas.
However, Minister Francken announced plans to explore options for producing any additional F-35s at Lockheed Martin’s European production site in Cameri, Italy, which already serves as a secondary assembly line for NATO allies.
Francken discussed the proposal on Wednesday during a meeting in Washington with Michael Williamson, Executive Vice President of Lockheed Martin International.
Taking to social media platform X shortly afterward, Francken said the talks were productive and emphasized that future F-35 procurement, especially if driven by NATO obligations, could leverage the Italian facility for assembly and delivery.
“If NATO requires us to expand our fleet, we must be ready,” Francken stated. “In that case, producing the jets in Europe would offer economic and logistical benefits, and reduce overreliance on the United States.”
Belgium’s current order, worth approximately €4 billion, was made under a 2018 deal for 34 fifth-generation fighters to replace its aging F-16 fleet. Deliveries are expected to begin later this year, with the first jets to be stationed at Florennes Air Base.
The proposal to shift production to Europe reflects ongoing political debate in Belgium regarding the country’s defense procurement strategies.
Prime Minister Bart De Wever has previously acknowledged that NATO requirements could necessitate further acquisitions of fighter jets, a move that would likely spark renewed discussions within the coalition government.
Not everyone in Belgian politics supports the idea of buying more American-made aircraft. Yvan Verougstraete, leader of the centrist Les Engagés party, reiterated his party’s opposition last month, arguing that the funds would be better spent elsewhere.
“Otherwise, we will only increase our dependence on the United States,” he said in a parliamentary session, calling for a broader strategic review of Belgium’s defense spending.
Francken, however, defended the idea of additional purchases, stressing that security concerns in Europe and NATO’s evolving posture in the wake of the Ukraine conflict require serious consideration.
“We must remain aligned with our allies, but that doesn’t mean we cannot pursue smarter industrial cooperation,” he said.
Lockheed Martin’s Italian facility, operated in partnership with Leonardo S.p.A., already produces F-35s for Italy and the Netherlands and is capable of handling additional orders.
Defence analysts say the move could create opportunities for deeper European industrial collaboration and offer Belgium a greater role in the continent’s defense ecosystem.
As the debate unfolds, the Belgian government faces a complex balancing act between transatlantic loyalty, European strategic autonomy, and domestic budgetary constraints.
A final decision on additional F-35 purchases or their production location has not yet been made.
