U.S. government officials have briefed the Belgian government about the capabilities of the Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 fighter jet, as Brussels prepares to replace its aging fleet of 60 F-16s, a source familiar with the matter has told.Someones got to ask so I will. WHAT IS THE US GOVT PROMISING THESE NATIONS WITH REGARDS TO THE PRICE OF THIS AIRPLANE????
The source, who was not authorized to speak publicly, said Belgium was considering buying 35 to 55 of the new radar-evading F-35 jets. No decisions are expected until late 2014 at the earliest after next year’s elections in Belgium.
Belgium was one of the originalNATO partners to buy the F-16 fighter jet, also built by Lockheed; but unlike Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands, it did not join the international consortium that funded development of the F-35.
U.S. government officials have visited Belgium to discuss the F-35, which is being built to replace the F-16 and a dozen other warplanes in use around the world, according to the source.
U.S. defense officials had no immediate comment.
I like Belgium. They have a beautiful country. But there is no way in hell they can afford F-35s.
If a certain Northern European country could only afford 37 then Belgium can afford maybe 1.5 of these planes.
I'm convinced beyond all doubt that either rampant criminality is occurring with this program OR we're seeing some type of subsidy being offered by the US govt.
Sidenote: Sequester is going to continue and the whole defense house is riding on the F-35. Thats why the posts on this airplane have increased. You're interested in Marine Corps small arms? You think that the M27 should be our next service rifle? The F-35 matters to you. You think we need an AAV replacement? You want the MPC? The F-35 matters to you. The same applies to the other services. You a sub driver? Hornet driver? Grunt? Engineer? Ranger? Cook? The F-35 will affect your future. That's why its being followed closely here.
