This weekend (8 – 9 September) was the Belgian Air Force Days 2018 at the northern air base Kleine Brogel. Theme of this year “Ready for the future”.
The Belgian Air Force stays for big changes as the replacement of the tactical transport fleet, replacing the old C-130 Hercules by the Airbus A400M Atlas. With a firm order for seven aircraft plus another one as a result of a joint initiative together with Luxembourg, the A400M will be the backbone of the future Belgian Air Force transport fleet for decades to come. First aircraft modules are already under production with major components due to arrive at the Airbus Final Assembly Line in Seville (Spain) in the coming months ready for first aircraft delivery to the customer in 2020.
Airbus Military A400M Atlas
The replacement of the 40 years old F-16 Fighting Falcon by a fifth generation fighter will be in the coming years. In the race for the Belgian F-X tender for 34 new fighters are Dassault Rafale, Airbus Military-EADS Eurofighter Typhoon and Lockheed Martin with the F-35A Lightning II. This 3.5 Billion tender will be made soon. The favours for the F-35A selection will remain high. The current F-16AM/BM fleet will soldier on until 2028 before they are replaced by the new fighter.
Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II
The Belgian Air Force and VZW aeroclub Sanicole worked together in a ‘Joint Venture’ to make this airshow one of the best in Europe. The Sanicole expertise combined with the operational and technical capabilities that are offered by airbase Kleine-Brogel makes it to a great success. The next Sanicole Airshow will be 13-15 september 2019.
Highlights of this year the Sukhoi Su-27 demonstration from Ukraine, Breitling Jet Team with the Aero L-39, F-16 Belgian Air Force Solo Display, F-18 demo from Spain and Switzerland, Royal Jordanian Falcons, Baby Blue Display Team from Denmark and the RAF Falcons Parachute Team.
Sukhoi Su-27 Ukraine
In the static the Osprey CV-22 Tiltrotor Vertical-takeoff aircraft, F-35A Joint Strike Fighter from Italy, Airbus A400M and many more…
Osprey CV-22 Tiltrotor
On Saturday was a problem with the Spanish F-18 Hornet, could not retract its tailhook during its display, this gave a spark shower along the runway.
Spanish F-18 Hornet
Photos Rob Vogelaar
More Photos
2018 Kleine Brogel AFB, Belgian Air Force Days full photo report.
Kleine-Brogel Air Museum The Story of the 10th wing
Complete report on Flickr
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