Belgium wants the next F-35, but not from the USA. The machines are to be built in Italy

The Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken turned to his Italian counterpart asking if the additional F -35 fighters that Belgium wants to order could be created in Italy, not in the USA, “Belga agency said, citing an interview for” Het Laatste Niewiews “

According to Francken, thanks to this, additional jobs could be created in Europe.

In 2018, former defense minister Steven Vandeput ordered 34 F-35 aircraft from the American company Lockheed Martin. These fighters are built in the USA, at Fort Worth in Texas. The first planes are ready, and pilot training continues at the Luke Air Force Base air base in Arizona.

The current government of Belgium, however, intends to buy additional fighters in accordance with the coalition agreement. According to Francken, it should be F-35.

“I asked the Italian defense minister if we could produce them in Italy, not in the USA, which would also create European jobs,” said Francken, “het laatste Niewiews”. F-35 assembly would take place in Cameri, Italy.

The Cameri Air base is a military air center where these aircraft consists of in Europe. It is the main mounting line of Italian and Dutch F-35 aircraft and Italian F-35B aircraft.

The Belga agency said it was not clear whether new aircraft built in Europe would be included in European purchases. It is about the SAFE loan program proposed by the EC and the EURO borrowing program, providing for loans for joint military orders.

From Brussels Łukasz Osiński (PAP)

luo/ mms/