Belgian F-35 Lightning II to Make Sanicole Airshow Debut in 2026
The International Sanicole Airshow has confirmed one of the most anticipated military aviation appearances of the 2026 European airshow season. Belgium’s new fifth-generation fighter, the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II, will make its debut at the event as the Belgian Air Force marks its 80th anniversary year.
The appearance represents more than a new aircraft in the display line-up. It symbolises the transition from the long-serving F-16 era to the next generation of NATO airpower, a shift that will define Belgian combat aviation for decades.
Two Belgian Air Force F-35A Lightning II fighter jets in flight.
The First Confirmation for Sanicole 2026
Organisers of the International Sanicole Airshow have confirmed that the Belgian Air Force F-35A Lightning II will appear at the 2026 edition of the event, scheduled for 12–13 September at Hechtel-Eksel Airfield in northern Belgium.
The announcement marks the first confirmed participant for the 2026 show and promises a historic moment for aviation enthusiasts. Visitors will have the rare opportunity to witness two Belgian F-35s from Florennes Air Base performing a tactical role demonstration over the airfield, showcasing the aircraft’s capabilities during a dynamic display sequence.
For Sanicole, an event known for hosting significant European airpower debuts, the confirmation aligns perfectly with the milestone celebrations taking place within the Belgian Air Force during 2026.
Two Belgian Air Force F-35A Lightning II fighter jets flying in formation during an air-to-air photo.
Celebrating 80 Years of the Belgian Air Force
The 2026 season marks 80 years since the establishment of the Belgian Air Force in its modern form, an organisation that has evolved through decades of technological transformation and international operations.
Throughout its history, Belgium’s air arm has transitioned through several generations of combat aircraft, reflecting both changing security environments and the country’s role within NATO. The upcoming Sanicole display will highlight one of the most important transitions in that story: the move from the fourth-generation F-16 Fighting Falcon to the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II.
Few aircraft have shaped Belgian military aviation as profoundly as the F-16. Introduced into service in 1979, the type became the backbone of Belgian fighter operations for more than four decades and participated in numerous NATO missions and international deployments.
However, with the aircraft approaching the end of their operational life and increasingly costly to maintain, Belgium began the process of selecting a replacement in the late 2010s.
A Belgian Air Force F-35A Lightning II with a Belgian flag visible inside the cockpit.
From the F-16 Era to the Fifth Generation
Belgium formally selected the F-35A Lightning II in 2018 as the successor to its fleet of F-16s, following a competitive evaluation that considered operational capability, cost, and NATO interoperability.
The original procurement covered 34 aircraft, intended to gradually replace the country’s remaining F-16 fleet and restore the Belgian Air Force’s long-term combat capability.
Deliveries have already begun. The first Belgian F-35s arrived at Florennes Air Base in October 2025, marking the official start of the country’s transition to the new fighter. Additional aircraft remain based at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, where Belgian pilots and maintenance crews are undergoing training on the type.
Belgium’s defence plans also include the purchase of 11 additional aircraft, which would bring the planned fleet to 45 F-35As once all orders are completed.
As these aircraft enter service, the F-16 fleet will be gradually retired, with full operational capability of the new fighter force expected in the early 2030s.
Air-to-air view of two Belgian Air Force F-35A Lightning II fighters in flight.
The Technology Behind the F-35 Lightning II
The F-35 Lightning II represents a major leap forward in fighter technology compared with previous generations of combat aircraft.
Designed as a fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter, the aircraft integrates advanced sensors, networking capabilities, and low-observable design features that dramatically increase battlefield awareness and survivability.
One of the aircraft’s defining characteristics is its sensor fusion system, which combines data from multiple onboard sensors and external sources into a single integrated view for the pilot. This digital picture of the battlefield allows pilots to detect, track, and respond to threats more effectively than traditional fighter aircraft.
Stealth also plays a central role in the design. The aircraft’s shape and materials reduce radar visibility, while internally carried weapons allow it to maintain its aerodynamic profile and minimise detection.
These capabilities enable the F-35 to operate not only as a strike fighter but also as an information node within NATO’s network-centric warfare environment.
A Belgian Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon flying alongside a U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II at Sanicole Airshow 2022
The Belgian F-35 Fleet
Belgium’s F-35 fleet will be based at Florennes Air Base and Kleine-Brogel Air Base, replacing F-16 units currently operating from those locations.
The aircraft will equip several squadrons within the Belgian Air Component and are intended to ensure the country continues to meet its commitments to NATO collective defence and international operations.
The programme also involves participation from Belgian industry, with local aerospace companies contributing components and systems to the global F-35 supply chain.
Once fully operational, the aircraft will serve as Belgium’s primary combat aircraft for decades, providing capabilities ranging from air policing and air superiority to precision strike missions.
A P-51 Mustang flying in formation with a Belgian Air Force F-16 and a U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II at Sanicole Airshow 2022
What Visitors Can Expect at Sanicole
During the International Sanicole Airshow 2026, two Belgian F-35s from Florennes are expected to perform a tactical role demonstration, offering spectators a rare look at how the aircraft operates in a realistic mission profile.
Rather than a traditional solo aerobatic display, such demonstrations typically simulate operational scenarios, highlighting the aircraft’s acceleration, manoeuvrability, and tactical handling.
For many spectators, the experience will be as much about sound as it is about sight. The powerful Pratt & Whitney F135 engine, the most powerful engine ever installed in a fighter aircraft, produces a distinctive roar that can be heard long before the aircraft appears over the display line.
As the aircraft powers through the Belgian skies above Hechtel-Eksel, visitors will be witnessing more than a display item. They will be witnessing the future of Belgian airpower.
A Historic Moment for Sanicole
The confirmation of the Belgian F-35 for Sanicole 2026 represents a landmark moment for both the airshow and the Belgian Air Force.
For the organisers, the appearance of the country’s newest fighter aircraft provides a powerful centrepiece for the 80th anniversary celebrations. For aviation enthusiasts, it offers one of the first opportunities in Europe to see the Belgian F-35 perform in a public airshow environment.
As the era of the F-16 draws to a close and the F-35 begins to take its place in Belgian service, the skies above Hechtel-Eksel will provide a fitting stage for the next chapter in the country’s military aviation story.
