The F-35 fighter jets are slowly approaching Belgium as the Minister of Defense, Ludivine Dedonder, laid the first stone of the new F-35 complex at Florennes. The government led by Charles Michel chose the F-35 over the European competitor, Eurofighter Typhoon, in 2018 for 3.6 billion euros, which caused great controversy. The question remains whether Belgium would make the same choice for the American F-35 in 2023. However, a change of plan is not possible as Belgium has already paid 600 million for the contract. Strategic military independence in Europe was a debated topic during the purchase as Europe had other available planes such as the Typhoon or the French Rafale. The war in Ukraine reminded Belgium of its dependence on the United States and buying “US” may not be the best way to protect itself. Frédéric Mauro, a lawyer at the Brussels bar and researcher associated with the Institute of International and Strategic Relations, explains this argument.
The F-35 fighters are gradually approaching Belgium. This followingnoon, in Florennes, the Minister of Defense, Ludivine Dedonder, laid the first stone of the new F-35 complex, which is to accommodate the famous American fighters, successors to the good old F-16s. It was the government led by Charles Michel, in 2018, which chose the F-35 instead, among others, of its European competitor the Eurofighter Typhoon for a purchase cost of 3.6 billion euros, choice which had aroused a wide controversy at the time. So, 5 years, we will ask ourselves the question: in 2023, would Belgium have made the same choice, would it have chosen the American F-35?
Let us specify from the outset that a change of plan in this file is not on the agenda and is not possible in fact. As the Minister of Defense herself said on our antennas, in 2021: our country has already paid 600 million for the contract, we will not go back. However, there are a number of arguments which, today, might make the choice lean towards another aircraft.
And the first argument is our strategic military independence, we Europeans. It was one of the most discussed elements at the time: why buy a very expensive American plane, when Europe has several planes, like the Typhoon or the French Rafale? The war in Ukraine has come to remind us of our state of dependence on the United States. And buying “US” is not the right method to protect us, as explained by Frédéric Mauro, a lawyer at the Brussels bar but above all a researcher associated with the Institute of International and Strategic Relations.
To hear Frédéric Mauro, click on the video above taken from Clickyour daily Talk Info, Monday to Friday at 5 p.m. on La Première and at 7:10 p.m. and around 10:15 p.m. on La Trois.
In conclusion, while Belgium’s decision to purchase the F-35 fighter jets has already been made and paid for, it’s worth reflecting on the country’s strategic military independence and whether buying “US” is the best way to protect ourselves. As Europe is still largely dependent on the United States, this purchase has raised questions regarding choosing a very expensive American plane over European options like the Typhoon or the Rafale. Only time will tell if Belgium would make the same choice in 2023 or if they would lean towards a different aircraft.