Scramble Messageboard

First Belgian F-35A (AY01, FL001) has been rolled out!

https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/kijk/2023/ ... -62380735/

confirmed:

First Belgian F-35A (AY-01, BAF FL-01) will be handed over on December 10.

the First F-35A for Belgium (AY-01, future BAF serial FL-01), has rolled out the assemblyline today.
its now being moved to another facility for final fitting and finishing.

https://twitter.com/thef35/status/1722984205401928175

There is an update on this situation. the MoD has decided to (at least for now) make a U-turn on the NH90-TTh's withdrawal. the type, that was expected to be withrawn by april 2024, will now serve a little longer, as industry is now in discussion on increasing the availability of the type in BAF ser...

the Belgian ministery of interiour is looking to replace the coastguard its sole BN-2 islander (OO-MMM, sn 468, ex-Belgian Army B-02). the new aircraft is expected to take up a similar role with similar "sniffer" sensors. https://www.focus-wtv.be/nieuws/regering-maakt-werk-van-nieuw-vliegt...

the Belgian Air Force is to disband the 80th UAV Squadron, and reactivate it as 2 Squadron RPAS. 2 SQN is one of the oldest fighter squadrons within the BAF, but was disbanded in 2001 following restracturing and unification of the Armed Forces. now, the unit is to be reactivated to operate the MQ-9B...

foufure wrote: ↑04 Apr 2023, 16:06
The 4 NH-90TTH will be phased out. Belgium has askeb price for 4 CH-47.

only 4 Chinooks? in the STAR-plan it is noted 8 to 10 machines.
if they only buy 4 of them, they are going to make the same mistake as with the NH90-TTH, too few to be operationally relevant.

Belgium is also looking for a replacement for its SF260M/D's, perhaps a joint purchase to reduce costs?

it has been officially announced, belgium will order 15 H145M's from airbus, the contract will be finalized in the coming days. its also expected that the Belgian Federal Police Aviation (RAGO) will also order 5 of the type, in the near future, to replace its MD9902/MD520 fleet between 2025 and 2029...

Belgian F-35A's will be serialed FL-01 to FL-34.

source: https://www.aviation24.be/manufacturers ... NEmZ8PcJqs

earlier this week, Belgium has shown intentions to order additional F-35A's, this was envisioned in the STAR-plan, but that was scrapped after protest by the socialist- and eco parties, the funding went to R&D. however, there are plans that funding will be made available in the next defence plan...

As part of the STAR-plan, approval has been given to launch a tender for 4 new SAR helicopters. these will take over the SAR duties currently performed by the NH90-NFH, freeing up the type for MAR and ASW duties from 2025 onwards. a budget of €180 million has been allocated for the new helicopters o...

7 or 8 C-130H that the Belgian Air Force retired end-2021, have been sold to the Pakistan Air Force.
earlier this week, CH-12 was noted repainted in PAF colors.

https://pakstrategic.com/2022/06/20/pak ... -aircraft/

Boeing's sales manager has hinted that belgium has requested pricing on the CH-47F Chinook.

so what will replace the C-130H's, the C-130J-30 or the Airbus A400M.
for the cougar replacement, im guessing either the H225M Caracal or the UH-60M Blackhawk will be the most possible candidates.