The United States government has authorized the sale of a significant batch of AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder air-to-air missiles to equip the Belgian Air Force’s new fleet of stealth F-35A fighters. This was revealed in one of the latest notifications from the State Department to the U.S. Congress, in order to approve the operation under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, valued at US$567.8 million.
As previously reported, the Belgian Air Force is moving forward with its transition to the new fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II aircraft, intended to replace the current F-16 fleet. In recent weeks, important milestones have been reached in the training of pilots and personnel for the stealth platform, including the completion of the first instructor courses in the United States.
At the same time, the European country’s government has launched plans and negotiations to expand the current fleet of 34 stealth fighters with the purchase of eleven (11) additional F-35s, which would bring the future fleet to 45 aircraft—approaching the original projection of 55 units.
Meanwhile, in addition to pilot and crew training, Belgium has been placing orders to complete the weapons system with a full range of armament, seeking to acquire the most advanced available. For instance, this was reflected in the 2024 request to acquire new GBU-53 SDB-II glide bombs for the fifth-generation aircraft.
As stated in the publication released by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on September 15, the Belgian government has requested the purchase of new Sidewinder air-to-air missiles for its F-35As. The package, valued at US$567.8 million, includes 320 AIM-9X Block II and 258 AIM-9X Block II+ missiles, along with 30 guidance sections, with RTX Corporation as the main contractor.
The State Department indicated: “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO ally that is an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.”
It added: “The proposed sale will improve Belgium’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing air-to-air missiles and guidance units for Belgium’s F-35 fleet in support of NATO’s defense mission. Belgium will have no difficulty absorbing these weapons into its Armed Forces.”
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