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词条 Belgian Air Component
释义

  1. History

     Foundation and early years  World War I  Aircraft procurement difficulties  Operational summary  Between the world wars  World War II  The Cold War  Post-Cold War reforms – COMOPSAIR   Retired aircraft  1990s  2000s  2010s  Joint air policing 

  2. Current structure

  3. Aircraft

     Current inventory 

  4. Future

  5. See also

  6. References

     Bibliography 

  7. External links

{{short description|Aviation branch of Belgian Armed Forces}}{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name=Belgian Air Component
Luchtcomponent
| image= Belgian Air Component wings.svg
| image_size = 300
|caption=Belgian Air Component wings
|dates=1909–1915: Company of Aviators
1915–1940: Military Aviation
1946–1949: Military Aviation
1949–2002: Belgian Air Force
2002–present: Air Component
|country={{flag|Belgium}}
|allegiance= King of the Belgians
|branch=
|type=Air force
|role= Aerial warfare
|size=5,739 personnel
|command_structure= Belgian Armed Forces
|garrison=
|garrison_label=
|nickname=
|patron=
|motto=
|colors=
|colors_label=
|march=
|mascot=
|equipment=
|equipment_label=
|battles=
|anniversaries=
|decorations=
|battle_honours=
|commander1=Major General aviator Frederik Vansina
|commander1_label=Commander
|notable_commanders=
|identification_symbol=
|identification_symbol_label=Roundel
|identification_symbol_2=
|identification_symbol_2_label=Flag
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}}

The Belgian Air Component ({{lang-nl|Luchtcomponent}}, {{lang-fr|Composante air}}) is the air arm of the Belgian Armed Forces,[1][2] and until January 2002 it was officially known as the Belgian Air Force ({{lang-nl|Belgische Luchtmacht}}; {{lang-fr|Force aérienne belge}}). The Belgian military aviation was founded in 1909 and is one of the world's oldest air services.

The commander is Major General aviator Frederik Vansina, appointed on 23 July 2009.[3]

History

Foundation and early years

The Belgian military aviation was founded in 1909 as a branch of the Belgian Army, carrying the name Compagnie des Ouvriers et Aérostiers.[4] King Albert's interest in the military use of aircraft was the main impetus for its formation. Coincidentally, in the civil aviation sector, Baron Pierre de Caters earned the first civil pilot's brevet that same year. Caters would promptly establish an aviation school. At approximately the same time, the War Ministry followed the French military's example and had pilots earn a civil pilot's brevet before their military one.[5]

In 1910, three Belgian lieutenants earned their pilot's brevets at the school, paying their own fees. Two of the artillery lieutenants were Baudouin Montens d'Oosterwyck, who earned Brevet No. 19 on 30 September, and Alfred Sarteel, granted No. 23 on 10 November. The third lieutenant, Georges Nelis, was the new force's first aviation candidate, gaining Brevet No. 28 on 21 December. An aircraft was personally purchased for him.[5]

In spring of 1911, the new air force established its military aviation school with five pilots, two mechanics, and a woodworker. It received its first aircraft via Baron Caters, who gave the aircraft to King Albert, who in turn presented it to the school.[5]

On 12 September 1912, pilot Lieutenant Nelis and observer Sous Lieutenant Stellingwerff were the first Europeans to fire a machine gun from an aircraft; while Nelis brought the aircraft low, Stellingwerff put some bullets through a sheet staked out on the ground. They were disciplined for their efforts. Nelis then accompanied Capitaine Commandant Émile Mathieu to England during November 1913 to demonstrate aerial use of the Lewis machine gun at Hendon and Aldershot; as a result, the British adopted the Lewis, although the Belgians did not. Belgium entered World War I with aircraft tasked solely for reconnaissance missions.[6]

World War I

By the time of Belgium's entry into the First World War on 4 August 1914, the military aviation branch, now called the Aviation Militaire Belge, consisted of four squadrons, each consisting of four 80-horsepower Henri Farman aircraft, although Escadrilles III and IV were still forming. A truck was assigned to each squadron, along with a fifth truck serving as a mobile workshop. Each squadron had a commander, five pilots, and six observers, with all officers seconded from parent units. As a result, most of the new aviators were from the Engineers and Artillery components of the Belgian armed forces. As the war began, a fifth squadron was created, staffed with civilian pilots called to the colors and equipped with Bleriots.[7]

Sous Lieutenant Henri Crombez flew one of the first war patrols, in a Deperdussin racer on 4 August 1914 above Liège.[8] Adjutant Behaeghe was the first to engage an enemy, a few days later. On 26 September, the Belgian air crew of Sous Lieutenant de Petrowski and Sergeant Benselin mortally wounded a German pilot with a rifle bullet and forced his Taube to land at Sint-Agatha-Berchem; if they had submitted a claim for this victory, its approval would have marked history's first air-to-air combat victory.[9]

On 3 January 1915, two machine guns supplied by British were fitted to two Belgian aircraft, making a dual effort against the foe possible; these were Belgium's first dedicated fighter planes. In February, thirteen of the Belgian airmen flew 28 offensive patrols; their first dogfight was fought on the 26th, with ten Albatroses against three Belgian Farmans. On 26 March, Sous Lieutenant Boschmans sent a German two-seater into a steep dive when he seemed to hit the pilot; the German was not seen to either crash or land. This was the Belgian aviators' first victory claim.[10]

In April, Lieutenant Fernand Jacquet mounted a machine gun on his pusher aircraft and sought out the enemy. On the 17th, he and his observer (Lieutenant Henri Vindevoghel) scored Belgium's first confirmed aerial victory, sending an Albatros reconnaissance aircraft down in flames over Roeselare. Apparently at about the same time, Adjutant José Orta and Sous Lieutenant Louis de Burlet were the first to attack an enemy observation balloon when they dropped three small bombs on a gasbag over Houthulst. Luckily for them, they missed; success would probably have blown them out of the sky.[10]

On 18 January 1916, the decision was made to form a dedicated fighter squadron. On 22 February 1916, Escadrille I became the 1ère Escadrille de Chasse. It consisted of newly supplied Nieuport 10s and one obsolete Farman two-seater. In August, the new squadron would upgrade to Nieuport 11s, and Escadrille V was turned into the 5ème Escadrille de Chasse. The new unit was the first to mount an offensive formation for the new air force; on 15 February 1917, they flew an offensive patrol of seven. By this time, the AMB had grown to 44 aircraft, including 21 fighters. At this point, individual aircraft bore personal markings affixed by their pilots, but no unit designations.[11]

In the summer of 1917, the AMB was allotted an active role in Allied aviation operations at the beginning of the Third Battle of Ypres. In March 1918, the AMB matured into a Groupe de Chasse. At this time, the role of the Escadrilles de Chasse was finally focused on their operation strictly as fighter units. There was a sorting out of pilots into fighter or reconnaissance roles. Not all fighter pilots went into the new fighter units; as of 1 May, 22 remained with reconnaissance units to fly escort missions. The King insisted that Jacquet be given the command of the Group. The newly organized fighter wing contained the two fighter escadrilles; however, 1ère Escadrille de Chasse became 9ème Escadrille de Chasse, and 5ème Escadrille de Chasse became 10ème Escadrille de Chasse. The 11ème Escadrille de Chasse was founded on 28 May to join them. By the start of the Allies final offensive in September 1918, the AMB was incorporated in the Allied aviation effort, and could send 40-plus aircraft into the air at one time. In its short span of service, the Groupe fought over 700 aerial combats and was credited with 71 confirmed and 50 probable victories.[12]

Aircraft procurement difficulties

In June 1916 the nascent air force had received newer aircraft from the French in both single and double-seat versions of the Nieuport 10. The Belgians would continue to upgrade their aircraft throughout the war, though through their dependence on French manufacturers they became the stepchildren of the Allied effort from 1916 onwards.[13] The introduction dates of various types, compared to the date of their acquisition by the Belgians, tells the tale. The Franco-American Lafayette Escadrille had Nieuport 16s as early as May 1916;[14] the Belgians got them at the end of the year. The Nieuport 17 came into service with the French as early as June 1916, but the Belgians received so few that in June 1917 they were still operating all their earlier Nieuports. They then contracted for newer Nieuport 23s, which were basically up-engined Nieuport 17s. Spad VIIs had entered French service on 2 September 1916; the Belgians first received them almost an entire year later, with the first one on board on 22 August 1917. In September 1917, Belgium had the Hanriot HD.1 supplied to it the year after it was introduced. Spad XIIIs also came on line that month, but would not show up in Belgian inventory until the next year. Sopwith Camels first went into service in May 1917 and the AMB received its first one on 29 November 1917.[15]

The AMB did make one attempt to design and build its own aircraft. However the Ponnier M1 was not good enough for production, and the ten or so manufactured ended up with clipped wings as powered "Penguin" rollers for training rookie pilots.[16]

Operational summary

One of its flying ace pilots, Willy Coppens, became the top ranking balloon buster of World War I, as well as one of the war's top aces. Four other pilots from the tiny force also became aces with it: Andre de Meulemeester,[17] Edmond Thieffry,[18] Jan Olieslagers,[19] and Fernand Jacquet.[20] A sixth Belgian, Adolphe DuBois d'Aische, became the war's oldest ace while in French service.[21]

The fledgling air force was entrusted with flying both King Albert and Queen Elizabeth over the battle front at times.[22]

Between the world wars

During the interwar period, the Belgian Air Force flew the Breguet 19. Some efforts were made to acquire aircraft from local production, such as those by Stampe et Vertongen and Renard. They also evaluated native designs like the ACAZ C.2 and LACAB GR.8, none of which entered mass production however.

World War II

At the start of World War II, the Army Air Force had three active Air Force Regiments. Aircraft which were used by those regiments were the Renard R-31 and R-32, the Fiat CR.42, the Hawker Hurricane, the Gloster Gladiator, the Fairey Fox, and the Fairey Battle. These were massacred by the much superior German Luftwaffe in the German invasion of May 1940. Before the outbreak of the war Belgium also sought to equip the Aviation Militaire with foreign designs, ordering production licences in Poland and France and aircraft in the USA. However, the acquired licences could not be used until May 1940 and the aircraft produced in the USA were eventually delivered to France and to the United Kingdom.

After the surrender of Belgium on 28 May 1940, a very small Belgian Air Force in exile was created in Great Britain as the Belgian section of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. This small force was active within the British Royal Air Force, and its squadrons were equipped with the Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Typhoon.

The Cold War

{{see also|Structure of the Belgian Armed Forces in 1989#Air Force|Second Allied Tactical Air Force}}

On 15 October 1946, the Belgian military aviation was turned into an autonomous force, independent of the Belgian Army. From September 1953 to 1960, the Ecole de Pilotage Avancé ("Advanced Pilots' School") operated Harvards from the Kamina military base in the Belgian Congo.[23] Seemingly about 60 Harvards were at the base.

Post-Cold War reforms – COMOPSAIR

At the beginning of the 1990s, the end of the Cold War caused the Belgian government to restructure the Belgian Armed Forces in order to cope with the changed threats. The Belgian Air Force was hit hard and saw its strength more than halved with the disbanding of the 3rd Tactical Wing in Bierset (1994); the disbanding of the 1st Fighter Wing in Beauvechain; the 9th Training Wing in Sint-Truiden Air Base; and the Elementary Flying School in Goetsenhoven (1996).

In 2002, the Belgian government decided to emulate Canada and impose a "single structure" on its armed forces in which the independent Belgian Air Force ceased to exist. The Belgian Air Component (COMOPSAIR being the HQ) consists of the 2nd Tactical Wing in Florennes Air Base and the 10th Tactical Wing in Kleine Brogel Air Base, both flying F-16s in four squadrons. Out of the 160 F-16s originally bought by Belgium, only 105 were upgraded; with further reductions to 72 aircraft in 2005; and planned to 60 by 2012. The 1st Wing at Beauvechain Air Base is assigned for the training of pilots, using the piston-powered Aermacchi SF.260 for elementary training, and the Alpha Jet for advanced training. Advanced combat training is done on F-16's at Kleine Brogel.[24] COMOPSAIR still operates the Lockheed C-130 Hercules in the 15th Air Transport Wing based at Melsbroek Air Base, planning to replace them by seven Airbus A400M transport aircraft. VIPs are transported with Embraer 135/145 jets,[25] Dassault 20/900, and the Airbus A321. The Sea King SAR helicopters will be phased out in March 2019 and will be replaced by NH-90s (4 NFH + 4 TTH). The Alouette III helicopters flown for the Belgian Navy in a utility-role will remain active for some years.

In 2004, as part of the unified structure, the Army Aviation units of the Wing Heli were transferred to the COMOPSAIR. These contain the Agusta A109 attack helicopter, and the Alouette II training and recce helicopter.

In 2005, the Belgian Alpha Jets moved to Cazaux in France to continue the Initial Operational Training, while the Advanced Jet Training was done on French Alpha Jets at Tours. As from 2013 both Advanced Jet Training as well as Initial Operational Training are completed in Cazaux in France.

Within the framework of its commitments within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO, Belgium has assigned its 72 F-16s to NATO purposes. Two squadrons with a total of 16 aircraft have been designated for use by the Rapid Reaction Forces.

In February 2008, Defense Minister Pieter De Crem announced that due to increasing problems and poor serviceability, the two A310s were to be replaced as soon as possible by two aircraft in the same class. An Airbus A330 was dry-leased to take their place till March 2014 where it was replaced by an Airbus A321.

On September 1, 2010, the Wing Heli in Bierset was disbanded and the Agusta A109 helicopters moved to Beauvechain Air Base to become 1st Wing. The SF260 squadrons became part of the Basic Flying Training School.

On May 24, 2011, it was reported that the two retired Airbus A310 aircraft have been sold to the Brussels-based company MAD Africa for the amount of 700,000 euros. The company then sold them on to the Dutch Van Vliet transport company, who in their turn will transfer the aircraft to an as yet unspecified Abu Dhabi-based operator.{{citation needed|date=May 2011}}

Retired aircraft

AircraftOriginTypeVariantIn serviceNotes
Combat Aircraft
Fairey BattleUnited Kingdombomber14[26]
Fairey FoxUnited Kingdomlight bomberII/III/VI/VIII115[26]
Fiat CR.42 Italyfighter23[26]
Gloster GladiatorUnited Kingdomfighter 15[26]
Supermarine SpitfireUnited Kingdomfighter FR Mk XIV53[27]
Gloster MeteorUnited Kingdomfighter F.4/NF.11the NF.11 served as a night fighter[28]
Hawker HurricaneUnited Kingdomfighter Mk I 11[26] license built by SABCA[28]
Avro CF-100 CanuckCanadainterceptorMk 553[29]In service from 1957 to 1964
Republic F-84United Statesfighter-bomberF-84E/G [28]In service 1951 - 1955
Republic F-84F [28]United Statesfighter-bomberIn service 1955 - 1972
Lockheed F-104United StatesInterceptorF-104G100[30] license built by SABCA, in service 1963 - 1983
Mirage 5FrancebomberBA63[30]in service 1970 - 1994
Reconnaissance
Mirage 5France reconnaissanceBR27[30]
Renard R.31Belgium observation19[26]
Auster AOP.6United Kingdom observation22[30]in service from 1947 to 1955
Republic F-84F[28]United States reconnaissance
Transport
Douglas C-54[28]United Statestransport
Fairchild C-119[28]United Statestransport
Boeing 727United StatesVIP100QC2obtained from Sabena, in service 1976 - 1998
Airbus A310 Multi-national Transport A310-222 2 Ex-Singapore Airlines, in service 1998 - 2009
Helicopters
Sikorsky S-58United StatesSAR11[30]replaced with the Westland Sea King
Westland Sea King Mk.48 United Kingdom SAR 5In service 1976 - 2019
Trainer Aircraft
Lockheed T-33 United Statesprimary trainerT-33A12[30]
Fouga CM.170Francejet trainer40[30]
Lockheed F-104United Statesconversion trainerTF-104G12[30] license built by SABCA
Mirage 5France conversion trainerBD16[30]
SIAI-Marchetti SF.260[30] Italy basic trainer

1990s

In January 1991, 18 Mirage 5 aircraft of the 3rd Tactical Wing were deployed to Turkey's Diyarbakır air base. During this operation, Belgian aircraft carried out several flights along the Iraqi border. After this operation the obsolete Mirage 5s were phased out.

On 15 July 1996, a C-130 with serial CH-06 carrying 37 members of the Dutch Army Fanfare Band and four Belgian crew members crashed at Eindhoven after a bird strike while executing a go-around, resulting in the loss of power to two engines. 34 passengers were killed, and only 7 survived. The accident is known in the Netherlands as the Herculesramp.

From October 1996, the Belgian Air Force cooperated with the Dutch Royal Air Force in the "Deployable Air Task Force" in patrolling former Yugoslavian airspace. F-16s of the 2nd and 10th Tactical Wings, operating from the Italian bases of Villafranca and Amendola, were assigned to missions insuring the control of a No-Fly Zone over Yugoslavia, and providing the air support necessary for UN and NATO troops. Between March 24 and June 10, 1999, twelve Belgian F-16s carried out 679 combat sorties – the first time since the second World War that Belgian aircraft took part in active war operations in enemy territory – against Serbia during the Kosovo crisis. The last Belgian F-16 detachment left Italy in August 2001.

2000s

On 29 March 2004, four F-16s from Kleine Brogel were transferred under NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission to the Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania for three months, where they were employed in monitoring the Lithuanian, Latvian, and Estonian skies.

In 2005, the Helicopter Wing (WHeli – HeliW) deployed four A-109 (including one Medevac) in Tuzla, Bosnia. In July, four F-16s deployed to Afghanistan to support the NATO International Security Assistance Force.[31] From June to October 2005, the 80th UAV Squadron deployed its B-Hunter in Tuzla.[32][33]

In 2006, Belgian Hunter unmanned air vehicles deployed to the Democratic Republic of the Congo as part of the EU EUFOR peacekeeping mission. At the same time, the Helicopter Wing (WHeli – HeliW) deployed three A-109 (including 1 Medevac) in Mostar, Bosnia, in Operation Blue Bee.[34]

On 1 December 2006 the Belgian Air Component deployed again under Baltic Air Policing mission four F-16 MLU aircraft to Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania, to defend the airspace of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.[35]

From August 2008, four F-16s were deployed to Kandahar in Afghanistan in support of the Dutch land forces.[36]

In March 2011, Belgium deployed six F-16 fighters to Araxos in Greece, in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn, to support the NATO operations over Libya.[37] The aircraft were already at the base as part of a joint exercise and were transferred to NATO command. Up to June 2011, the aircraft had flown over 1,000 hours over Libya and attacked various military installations and targets.

2010s

On 12 September 2011 a Wikileaks document showed a diplomatic cable from the American ambassador and the Minister of Defence Pieter De Crem that Belgium is interested in buying off-the-shelf Lockheed F-35 Lightnings by 2020.[38][39][40]

In 2013 the Belgian Air Force supported French operations in Mali providing Medevac helicopter support with two A-109 helicopters and two C-130 Hercules in a tactical air transport role.

On 2 September 2013, four F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter-jets of the Royal Belgian Air Force landed at the Šiauliai Air Base to take charge of NATO's Air Policing mission over the Baltic states.[41][42]

Between October 2014 and July 2015 six Lockheed Martin F-16AM Fighting Falcons were deployed under Operation Desert Falcon to Muwaffaq Salti Air Base as part of military intervention against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.[43]

On 11 October 2018 a Belgian Air Force F-16 caught fire during maintenance works at Florennes Air Base. The fire, reportedly caused by the accidental firing of a cannon, completely destroyed that aircraft. A second F-16 was also damaged.[44][45]

On 25 October 2018, Belgium officially selected the offer for 34 F-35As to replace the current fleet of around 54 F-16s. In the accompanying news conference, government officials stated that the decision to select the F-35 over the Eurofighter Typhoon came down to the price, and later stated that "The offer from the Americans was the best in all our seven valuation criteria". The total purchasing price for the aircraft and its support until 2030 totaled €4 billion, €600 million cheaper than the initially budgeted €4.6 billion. First deliveries are scheduled to take place in 2023.[46][47]

Joint air policing

On 4 March 2015, the Belgian and Dutch ministers of defence, along with the ambassador of Luxembourg to the Netherlands, signed an agreement on joint air policing. Starting mid-2017, the Belgian Air Component and the Royal Netherlands Air Force will take turns keeping two F-16s on quick reaction alert (QRA) defending the airspace of all three Benelux countries. The agreement could allow the Belgian minister of defence to order a Dutch aircraft to use lethal force over Belgian airspace, and vice versa. Luxembourg, while currently covered by Belgian QRA, does not allow the use of lethal force over its territory.[48]

Current structure

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| width = 560
| float = right
| relief = 1
| places =
| label = Florennes
| position = right
| background = white
| mark = Red pog.svg
| marksize =
| lat_deg = 50 |lat_min = 14 | lat_sec = 36
| lon_deg = 04 |lon_min = 38 | lon_sec = 45
  }}  {{Location map~ | Belgium

| label = Kleine Brogel
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| lon_deg = 05 |lon_min = 28 | lon_sec = 12
  }}  {{Location map~ | Belgium

| label = Melsbroek
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  }}  {{Location map~ | Belgium

| label = Koksijde
| position = right
| background = white
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| marksize =
| lat_deg = 51 |lat_min = 05 | lat_sec = 25
| lon_deg = 02 |lon_min = 39 | lon_sec = 10{{Location map~ | Belgium | background = white |label=Beauvechain|lat= 50.757778 |long= 4.8 |position=right|mark=Pink pog.svg}}{{Location map~ | Belgium | background = white |label=|lat= 50.757778 |long= 4.74 |position=right|mark=Lightgreen pog.svg}}{{Location map~ | Belgium | background = white |label=|lat= 50.73 |long= 4.77 |position=right|mark=Orange pog.svg}}{{Location map~ | Belgium | background = white |label=Semmerzake|lat= 50.933333 |long= 3.666667 |position=left|mark=Brown 804000 pog.svg}}{{Location map~ | Belgium | background = |label=Oud-Heverlee|lat= 50.833333 |long= 4.666667 |position=right|mark=Steel pog.svg}}{{Location map~ | Belgium | background = white |label=Evere|lat= 50.866667 |long= 4.4 |position=left|mark=Steel pog.svg}}
|caption= Belgian Air Component locations 2018:
F-16AM/BM Falcon SF.260D/M+ Helicopters other flying units
Command and Control centres Marconi S-723 radar site
other sites}}
  • Air Component Headquarter, in Evere[49]
    • Air Traffic Control Center, in Semmerzake
    • Control and Reporting Center, at Beauvechain Air Base, reports to NATO's Integrated Air Defense System CAOC Uedem in Germany
    • 1st Wing, at Beauvechain Air Base
    • 15th Squadron (Operational Conversion and Training Unit) (AW109BA Hirundo)
    • 17th Squadron (AW109BA Hirundo)
    • 18th Squadron (NH90 TTH)
    • Force Protection Squadron
    • 2nd Tactical Wing, at Florennes Air Base
    • 1st Squadron (F-16AM Falcon)
    • 350th Squadron (F-16AM Falcon)
    • Maintenance Group
    • Defense and Support Group
    • 10th Tactical Wing, at Kleine Brogel Air Base
    • 31st Squadron (F-16AM Falcon)
    • 349th Squadron (F-16AM Falcon)
    • Operational Conversion Unit (F-16BM Falcon)
    • Maintenance Group
    • Defense and Support Group
    • 15th Air Transport Wing, at Melsbroek Air Base
    • 20th Squadron (C-130H Hercules, to be replaced with Airbus A400M by 2020[50])
    • 21st Squadron (Airbus A321, Falcon 900B, Embraer ERJ 135, Embraer ERJ 145)
    • Training and Conversion Unit
    • Meteorological Wing, at Beauvechain Air Base
    • Military Meteorological Forecasting Center
    • Meteorological School
    • Maintenance Workshop
    • Meteorological Telecommunications Unit
    • 11th Squadron, at Cazaux Air Base, in France (Alpha Jet E trainers)
    • 40th Squadron, at Koksijde Air Base (NH90 NFH helicopters)
    • 80th UAV Squadron, at Florennes Air Base (B-Hunter drones)
    • Air Component Competence Center, at Beauvechain Air Base
    • Basic Flying Training School, at Beauvechain Air Base
    • 5th Squadron (SF.260D/M+ trainers)
    • 9th Squadron (SF.260D/M+ trainers)
    • Military Glider Center, previously, at Goetsenhoven Airfield, currently, at Beauvechain Air Base (L21B Super Cub, and a variety of glider types),
    • K-9 Unit, in Oud-Heverlee
    • Aviation Safety Directorate, at Beauvechain Air Base

Aircraft

Current inventory

AircraftOriginTypeVariantIn serviceNotes
Combat Aircraft
F-35 Lightning II United States multirole F-35A 34 on order[74]
F-16 Fighting Falcon United States multirole F-16A 43[51]
Transport
Airbus A321France VIP transport1[51]
Embraer ERJ145Brazil VIP transport3 [51]
Airbus A400M France / Spain tactical airlift 7 on order[51]
C-130 Hercules United States tactical airlift C-130H 9
Helicopters
Alouette III France liaison 3[51]Flown for Belgian Navy
NHIndustries NH90European UnionASW / SARNFH4Flown for Belgian Navy
NHIndustries NH90European Unionutility / transportTTH4
AgustaWestland AW109 Italy scout / anti-armor 20[51]
Trainer Aircraft
Alpha JetFrance / Germany trainer / light attack 28[51]
F-16 Fighting Falcon United Statesconversion trainer F-16B 9[51]
SIAI-Marchetti SF.260 Italy trainer32[51]

Future

In the strategical defence vision report of the Belgian government it was stated that by 2030 the Belgian air component will invest in 34 new fighter aircraft and one aerial refueling aircraft to be able to deploy the new fighter aircraft in a more independent fashion.[52]

The Belgian government is also planning to purchase four large reconnaissance UAVs with the option to buy eight more which will be able to fly at great height. Their primary goal will be reconnaissance assignments but the option also exists to arm them.[53]

Regarding the replacement of the aging F-16's there was some controversy within the Belgian government. The Flemish socialist party claimed that the government has already chosen the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, ignoring the Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale, which were both also part of the tender, because it intended to purchase fighters of a "new generation", and the successor of the F-16s also needed the capability of carrying B61 nuclear warheads, which are supposedly stored at Kleine Brogel. Minister of Defence Steven Vandeput contradicted this and stated that no official choice would be made until 2018 and that all options were still on the table.[54]

The Sea King helicopters were retired in March 2019 after 43 years of service. The Alpha Jet will also be retired by December 2019 and future pilot training is to be conducted in the USA at the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) program based at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas.[55]

On 25 October 2018, Belgium officially selected the offer for 34 F-35As to replace the current fleet of around 53 F-16s. In the accompanied news conference, government officials stated that the decision to select the F-35 over the Eurofighter Typhoon came down to the price, and later stated that "The offer from the Americans was the best in all our seven valuation criteria". The total purchasing price for the aircraft and its support until 2030 totaled €4 billion, €600 million cheaper than the initially budgeted €4.6 billion. First deliveries are scheduled to take place in 2023.[46][47]

In 2018 two Hercules aircraft have already been retired prior to the transition to the Airbus A400M starting in 2020.

Belgium participates for 1 Airbus A330 MRTT tanker aircraft as part of the NATO MRTT Squadron at Eindhoven Air Base, replacing the leased Airbus 321

In 2018 the Belgian Government approved the negotiations to acquire 2 General Atomics MQ-9B Sky MALE drones.

See also

  • List of F-104 Starfighter operators

References

1. ^{{cite web|url=http://www.mil.be/fr/la-defense-mod-chod|title=La Défense|access-date=2016-03-25|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401171214/http://www.mil.be/fr/la-defense-mod-chod|archive-date=2016-04-01|dead-url=no|df=}}
2. ^{{cite web|url=http://www.mil.be/nl/defensie-mod-chod|title=Defensie|access-date=2016-03-25|language=nl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320190716/http://www.mil.be/nl/defensie-mod-chod|archive-date=2016-03-20|dead-url=no|df=}}
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5. ^1 2 Pieters (1998), p.9
6. ^Pieters (1998), p.11
7. ^Pieters (1998), pp.10–11
8. ^{{cite book |title= Luchtoorlog boven België 1914 |trans-title=Air War over Belgium in 1914 |last1=Deneckere |first1=Bernard |location=Roeselare |publisher=Roularta |year=2010 |isbn=9789086793013 |language=Dutch}}
9. ^Pieters (1998), pp.11–13, 21
10. ^1 Pieters (1998), p.12
11. ^Pieters (1998), p.14
12. ^Pieters (1998), pp.17-18
13. ^Pieters (1998), pp.12, 17
14. ^{{cite web |url=http://www.theaerodrome.com/services/france/124.php |title=Escadrille 124 |work=The Aerodrome |year=2015 |accessdate=21 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018055716/http://www.theaerodrome.com/services/france/124.php |archive-date=18 October 2015 |dead-url=no |df=dmy-all }}
15. ^Pieters (1998), pp.15–16
16. ^Pieters (1998), p.16
17. ^Pieters (1998), pp.46–47
18. ^Pieters (1998), pp.78–79
19. ^Pieters (1998), pp.72–73
20. ^Pieters (1998), pp.62–63
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22. ^Pieters (1998), pp.21–22
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27. ^{{cite web |url= http://www.belgian-wings.be/Webpages/Navigator/Photos/MilltaryPics/post_ww2/Supermarine%20Spitfire%20XIV/Supermarine%20Spitfire%20FR.14%20Frontpage.html |title= Supermarine Spitfire |publisher= belgian-wings.be |date= |accessdate= 26 April 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170331205811/http://www.belgian-wings.be/Webpages/Navigator/Photos/MilltaryPics/post_ww2/Supermarine%20Spitfire%20XIV/Supermarine%20Spitfire%20FR.14%20Frontpage.html |archive-date= 31 March 2017 |dead-url= no |df= dmy-all }}
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29. ^{{cite web |url= http://www.belgian-wings.be/Webpages/Navigator/Photos/MilltaryPics/post_ww2/Avro%20Canada%20CF100%20Canuck/canuck%20frontpage.htm |title= Avro Canada CF100 Canuck Mk.5 |publisher= belgian-wings.be |date= |accessdate= 26 April 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160607151412/http://www.belgian-wings.be/Webpages/Navigator/Photos/MilltaryPics/post_ww2/Avro%20Canada%20CF100%20Canuck/canuck%20frontpage.htm |archive-date= 7 June 2016 |dead-url= no |df= dmy-all }}
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31. ^{{cite web |url=http://www.nato.int/docu/update/2005/07-july/e0712b.htm |title=NATO Update: Alliance augments air power in Afghanistan |work=NATO |date=12 July 2005 |accessdate=21 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217030501/http://www.nato.int/docu/update/2005/07-july/e0712b.htm |archive-date=17 February 2009 |dead-url=no |df=dmy-all }}
32. ^{{cite web |url=http://www.mil.be/fr/unites/80-unmanned-aerial-vehicle-squadron |title=80 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron |work=Belgium Defence |year=2015 |accessdate=21 August 2015 |language=French |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150726223909/http://www.mil.be/fr/unites/80-unmanned-aerial-vehicle-squadron |archive-date=26 July 2015 |dead-url=no |df=dmy-all }}
33. ^{{cite web |url=http://belmilac.wikifoundry.com/page/IAI+-+Eagle+B-Hunter+UAV+(Unmanned+Aerial+Vehicle) |title=Eagle B-Hunter UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) |work=Belgian Military Aircraft Database |year=2015 |accessdate=21 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042840/http://belmilac.wikifoundry.com/page/IAI+-+Eagle+B-Hunter+UAV+(Unmanned+Aerial+Vehicle) |archive-date=4 March 2016 |dead-url=no |df=dmy-all }}
34. ^{{cite web |url=http://www.belgian-wings.be/webpages/navigator/news/news_2006_2.htm |title=BAHA News 2006: Belgian Defence Agusta helicopters deployed to Mostar in Bosnia-Herzegovina |work=Belgian Wings |date=June 2006 |accessdate=21 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923183430/http://www.belgian-wings.be/webpages/navigator/news/news_2006_2.htm |archive-date=23 September 2015 |dead-url=no |df=dmy-all }}
35. ^{{cite web |url=http://www.f-16.net/news_article2075.html |title=Belgium F-16s to police Baltic airspace |work=f-16.net |accessdate=24 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105165012/http://www.f-16.net/news_article2075.html |archive-date=5 January 2014 |dead-url=no |df=dmy-all }}
36. ^{{cite web |url=http://www.f-16.net/news_article2731.html |title=Belgium to deploy 4 F-16s to Afghanistan |work=f-16.net |accessdate=24 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101183621/http://www.f-16.net/news_article2731.html |archive-date=1 January 2014 |dead-url=no |df=dmy-all }}
37. ^{{cite web |url=http://www.belgium.be/en/news/2011/news_f-16-libya.jsp |title=Belgium sends four F-16s to Libya |work=Belgian Federal Government |date=22 March 2011 |accessdate=21 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923183725/http://www.belgium.be/en/news/2011/news_f-16-libya.jsp |archive-date=23 September 2015 |dead-url=no |df=dmy-all }}
38. ^{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/17/us-lockheed-fighter-belgium-idUSBRE98G0OQ20130917 |first=Andrea |last=Shalal-Esa |title=Belgium considers Lockheed F-35 to replace F-16s |date=17 September 2013 |work=Reuters |accessdate=24 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225003404/http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/17/us-lockheed-fighter-belgium-idUSBRE98G0OQ20130917 |archive-date=25 December 2014 |dead-url=no |df=dmy-all }}
39. ^{{cite web |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/belgium-to-launch-f-16-replacement-process-393103/ |title=Belgium to launch F-16 replacement process |first=Craig |last=Hoyle |work=Flightglobal |date=16 November 2013 |accessdate=21 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306135458/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/belgium-to-launch-f-16-replacement-process-393103/ |archive-date=6 March 2016 |dead-url=no |df=dmy-all }}
40. ^{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/17/dutch-fighter-f-idUSL5N0HD0RI20130917 |title=Dutch government says to purchase 37 F-35 fighter planes |first1=Anthony |last1=Deutsch |first2=Andrea |last2=Shalal-Esa |work=Reuters |date=17 September 2013 |accessdate=21 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924184803/http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/17/dutch-fighter-f-idUSL5N0HD0RI20130917 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |dead-url=no |df=dmy-all }}
41. ^{{cite web |url=http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/49433/belgian-fighter-jets-landed-in-siauliai-to-take-over-of-the-baltic-air-policing-mission-201349433/ |title=Belgian fighter-jets landed in Šiauliai to take over of the Baltic Air Policing mission |work=The Lithuania Tribune |date=4 September 2013 |accessdate=24 December 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225011338/http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/49433/belgian-fighter-jets-landed-in-siauliai-to-take-over-of-the-baltic-air-policing-mission-201349433/ |archivedate=25 December 2014 |df= }}
42. ^{{cite web |url=http://theaviationist.com/2014/09/22/belgian-air-force-days/ |first=David |last=Cenciotti |title=The most interesting aircraft displayed at the Belgian Air Force Days |date=22 September 2014 |work=The Aviationist |accessdate=24 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030024033/http://theaviationist.com/2014/09/22/belgian-air-force-days/ |archive-date=30 October 2014 |dead-url=no |df=dmy-all }}
43. ^{{cite book|title=AirForces Monthly|year=September 2015|publisher=Key Publishing Ltd|location=Stamford, Lincolnshire, England|pages=74}}
44. ^{{cite web|url=https://www.aviation24.be/military-aircraft/belgian-air-component/air-force-f-16-destroyed-maintenance-collateral-damage-second/|title=Belgian Air Force F-16 destroyed by fire during maintenance - Collateral damage on second F-16 - Aviation24.be|date=12 October 2018|publisher=|accessdate=14 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014020409/https://www.aviation24.be/military-aircraft/belgian-air-component/air-force-f-16-destroyed-maintenance-collateral-damage-second/|archive-date=14 October 2018|dead-url=no|df=dmy-all}}
45. ^{{cite web|url=https://jalopnik.com/technician-accidentally-sets-off-an-f-16-cannon-blows-1829732241|title=Technician Accidentally Sets off an F-16 Cannon, Blows Up Another F-16|first=Elizabeth|last=Werth|publisher=|accessdate=14 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014003509/https://jalopnik.com/technician-accidentally-sets-off-an-f-16-cannon-blows-1829732241|archive-date=14 October 2018|dead-url=no|df=dmy-all}}
46. ^1 {{cite web |last1=Emmott |first1=Robin |title=Belgium picks Lockheed's F-35 over Eurofighter on price |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-aerospace-belgium/belgium-picks-lockheeds-f-35-over-eurofighter-on-price-idUSKCN1MZ1S0 |website=Reuters |accessdate=26 October 2018 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025145835/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-aerospace-belgium/belgium-picks-lockheeds-f-35-over-eurofighter-on-price-idUSKCN1MZ1S0 |archivedate=2018-10-25 |location=Brussels |date=25 October 2018 |deadurl=no |df= }}
47. ^1 {{cite web |last1=Insinna |first1=Valerie |title=F-35 officially wins Belgian fighter contest |url=https://www.defensenews.com/air/2018/10/25/f-35-officially-wins-belgian-fighter-contest/ |website=Defense News |accessdate=26 October 2018 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20181025153323/https://www.defensenews.com/air/2018/10/25/f-35-officially-wins-belgian-fighter-contest/ |archivedate=2018-10-25 |location=Washington |date=25 October 2018 |deadurl=no |df= }}
48. ^{{cite journal |url=http://www.janes.com/article/49759/benelux-countries-agree-to-joint-air-policing |last=Fiorenza |first=Nicholas |title=Benelux countries agree to joint air policing |journal=Jane's Defence Weekly |date=11 March 2015 |volume=52 |issue=10 |page=13 |accessdate=10 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702023717/http://www.janes.com/article/49759/benelux-countries-agree-to-joint-air-policing |archive-date=2 July 2015 |dead-url=no |df=dmy-all }}
49. ^{{cite web|url=http://www.mil.be/nl/luchtcomponent|title=Belgian Air Component website|publisher=Belgian Air Component|accessdate=1 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606155432/http://www.mil.be/nl/luchtcomponent|archive-date=6 June 2017|dead-url=no|df=dmy-all}}
50. ^{{cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/analysis-airbus-gearing-up-for-a400m-export-push-437907/|title=ANALYSIS: Airbus gearing up for A400M export push|date=14 June 2017|publisher=|access-date=23 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023230147/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/analysis-airbus-gearing-up-for-a400m-export-push-437907/|archive-date=23 October 2017|dead-url=no|df=dmy-all}}
51. ^1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 {{cite web|last =|first =|url =https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/analysis-2019-world-air-forces-directory-454126/|title =World Air Forces 2019|work =|publisher =Flightglobal Insight|year =2019|doi =|accessdate =5 January 2019|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20190123181847/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/analysis-2019-world-air-forces-directory-454126/|archive-date =23 January 2019|dead-url =no|df =dmy-all}}
52. ^{{cite web|url=http://www.vandeput.fgov.be/sites/default/files/articles/Request+for+Government+Proposal_0.pdf|title=Steven Vandeput - Minister of Defence, in charge of the Civil Service|website=www.vandeput.fgov.be}}
53. ^{{cite web|url=http://deredactie.be/cm/vrtnieuws/politiek/1.2698795|title=Defensie krijgt 9 miljard investeringen, maar moet 7.000 militairen afgeven|publisher=|access-date=2016-07-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703151332/http://deredactie.be/cm/vrtnieuws/politiek/1.2698795|archive-date=2016-07-03|dead-url=no|df=}}
54. ^{{cite web|url=http://deredactie.be/cm/vrtnieuws/politiek/1.2545430|title="Onzin, regering koos nog niet voor de F-35"|publisher=|access-date=2016-07-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919043614/http://deredactie.be/cm/vrtnieuws/politiek/1.2545430|archive-date=2016-09-19|dead-url=no|df=}}
55. ^{{cite web|url=http://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/archive-world-worldwide-news-air-force-aviation-aerospace-air-military-defence-industry/global-defense-security-news/global-news-2018/october/4561-belgian-air-force-alpha-jet-trainers-officially-for-sale.html|title=Belgian Air Force Alpha Jet trainers officially for sale|website=www.airrecognition.com|accessdate=14 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009052657/http://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/archive-world-worldwide-news-air-force-aviation-aerospace-air-military-defence-industry/global-defense-security-news/global-news-2018/october/4561-belgian-air-force-alpha-jet-trainers-officially-for-sale.html|archive-date=9 October 2018|dead-url=no|df=dmy-all}}

Bibliography

{{Refbegin}}
  • {{cite book |last=Pacco |first=John |title=Belgisch Leger/Armee Belge: Het Militair Vliegwezen/l'Aeronautique Militaire 1930–1940 |publisher=Aartselaar |location=Belgium |year=2003 |isbn= 90-801136-6-2}}
  • {{cite book |last=Pieters |first=Walter M. |title=Above Flanders' Fields: A Complete Record of the Belgian Fighter Pilots and Their Units During the Great War, 1914–1918 |publisher=Grub Street |year=1998 |isbn=978-1-898697-83-1}}
{{Refend}}

External links

{{commons category|Air force of Belgium}}
  • {{Official website|http://www.mil.be/nl/luchtcomponent}}
{{Belgian military}}{{NATO Air Forces}}{{NATO Land Forces}}{{Air forces in Europe}}{{air forces}}

4 : Belgian Air Component|Aviation in Belgium|Military units and formations established in 1909|1909 establishments in Belgium
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