Belgium
Through a long association in defense (over 60 years of partnership with Belgian military and industry) Lockheed Martin has built a solid relationship with Belgium and is looking to explore further partnerships outside the traditional defense field.
Air Force Programs
Lockheed Martin has enjoyed over 60 years of partnership with the Belgian military and its industrial partners.
In 1972 and 1973 Belgium purchased 12 C-130 airlifters and the C-130 continues to be the bulwark of Belgium’s strategic airlift capability.
Belgium pioneered a number of innovative operating techniques, including very low-level cargo dropping, and is recognized internationally for its humanitarian missions.
Belgium is one of four original countries comprising the European Participating Governments (EPG) that launched the international co-production of the F-16 and saw the first European F-16 assembly line opened in Belgium in 1978. Belgian industry was instrumental in updating and integrating aircraft repairs for the 109 planes in the Belgian fleet.
Effective partnerships were established with Belgian contractors SABCA and SONACA for the airframe and Fabrique National (now Techspace Aero) for the engines. Belgian company MBLE produced F-16 radars for three of the four EPG nations.
Through the 1990s and into the 2000s, SABCA and its technology partners SONACA and Fabrisys have continued to upgrade F-16s in Belgium through the Mid-Life Update (MLU) program.
Sniper®
Belgium ordered eight Sniper advanced targeting pods in 2007, becoming the fifth international Sniper customer. Sniper is now enhancing Belgian Air Force capability in operations in Libya and Afghanistan, significantly increasing situational awareness and providing substantial ISR capabilities.
Major Programs
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Contact Information:
Luc Vanderwinckel
Tel: +32-2-675 3380
Office fax: +32-2-675-2951
Email : luc.vandewinckel@lmco.com
