Rumours say a Falcon7X will be added to the Belgian air force fleet. But like I said RUMOURS!
Greetings,
Well the cat is out the bag. BAF will acquire 2 Dassault Falcon 7X aircrafts on a 12-year dry lease contract. There was no official announcement of it but the media figured it out and defence confirmed the news (or rather Reynders did). Although someone made a mistake by saying it will be "wet-leases". (someone who probably doesn't know the difference).
The Embraers will be sold off.
So the white fleet will consist out of 3 planes, the A321 and the 2 Falcon 7x planes. Not sure what will happen with the A321 when that contract is up, could be that it won't be replaced since the ordered A330MRTT is also capable of being converted in a passenger/VIP plane (although that plane will be part of the NATO fleet rather than the BAF fleet).
On 19 September at 10:30 (UTC+2), a Belgian Air Force F-16 crashed near the town of Pluvigner, France. The two pilots safely evacuated the aircraft using their ejections seats. A plume of black smoke was visible and rescue services immediately rushed to the crash site. The aircraft participated in an exercise.
One of the two pilots got stuck with his parachute on a power line and is being rescued. A crisis center has been opened.
MINISTER OF DEFENCE, PHILIPPE GOFFIN, TAKES FIRST CONTACT WITH AIR FORCE AT FLORENNES AIR BASE
On Wednesday March 11, 2020, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence, Philippe Goffin, will visit the Florennes airbase. He will meet the staff and become familiar with the various assets of the Air Force.
In addition to an explanation to the Minister on the operational preparation and operational management of our air bases, the management of the Air Force will also explain in more detail during this visit the main guidelines for the transition to the new generation of aircraft (A400M , F-35A and MQ-9B) and the challenges that this will entail in the future in terms of personnel, budget and infrastructure.
During his visit to Florennes, the Minister will also fly on an F-16B two-seat fighter plane. This plane is piloted by its namesake and its current commander of the airbase of Florennes, colonel aviator Philippe Goffin.
Belgian Defence presented its 2020 operations from the Kleine-Brogel airbase. Particular attention was paid to the Baltic Air Policing (BAP) mission, which currently mobilises sixteen Belgian F-16s. In addition, our army is mainly active on its own territory, in the Sahel, the Middle East and on the eastern border of Europe.
In 2020, our Defence will deploy approximately a thousand of its soldiers permanently on three continents.
Since the 2016 terrorist attacks in Zaventem and Brussels, the fight against terrorism has served as a common thread in Defence operations. The Chief of Defence (CHOD), General Marc Compernol, wishes to return this year to the essential missions of his department: collective defence, collective security and the protection of Belgian citizens. To do this, it refers to the 2030 Strategic Vision.
Collective defence mainly involves the protection of NATO territory. Belgian mine hunters as well as the frigate Léopold I are thus deployed within the NATO fleets (SNMG 1, SNMCMG 1) which carry out demining tasks in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. In the Baltic States, the Air Component contributes to the Baltic Air Policing (BAP) operation.
The Sahel once again becomes the centre of collective security operations. For example, our soldiers continue to train troops from Mali (EUTM, MINUSMA) and those from Niger (New Nero).
In the Middle East, the Belgian military remains active in Iraq (Inherent Resolve) and Afghanistan (Resolute Support Mission). Finally, Defence is awaiting government approval to send a detachment of four F-16s to Jordan in the fight against IS in Iraq and Syria.
Its third essential task is to protect Belgian citizens. The deployment of soldiers on the streets (Operation Vigilant Guardian) continues for the moment while being reassessed monthly.
Belgian Defence presented its 2020 operations from the Kleine-Brogel airbase. Particular attention was paid to the Baltic Air Policing (BAP) mission, which currently mobilises sixteen Belgian F-16s.
....
That seems a lot.
Usually the BAF deploys four (4) F-16s to Siaulai in Lithuania or Ämari in Estonia (no Baltic Air Policing ever based in Lielvarde Latvia as far as I know).
Belgian Defence presented its 2020 operations from the Kleine-Brogel airbase. Particular attention was paid to the Baltic Air Policing (BAP) mission, which currently mobilises sixteen Belgian F-16s.
....
That seems a lot.
Usually the BAF deploys four (4) F-16s to Siaulai in Lithuania or Ämari in Estonia (no Baltic Air Policing ever based in Lielvarde Latvia as far as I know).
H.A.
Could it be because the BAF is rotating 16 F-16s by groups of four?
The Belgian Air Force resumes air operations at Beauvechain Air Base as of today. In order to keep their necessary qualifications, NH90 and C130 crew will perform training missions, including night flying. Even during the COVID-19 outbreak, the BAF stays operational.
I've read the A321 of the BAF is repatriating Belgians. Unfortunately there are still Belgians stuck in far away destinations a A321 can't reach. I hope the need for a long range jet within the BAF is clear now and will be discussed after this crisis.
The Luftwaffe recently got this A350. It has a long range, it's bigger than an A321 and smaller than an A330. This would be ideal for the BAF.
The 'white fleet' would consist of 2 Dassault Falxon 7X (for short trips) and 1 A350 (for long trips).
I've read the A321 of the BAF is repatriating Belgians. Unfortunately there are still Belgians stuck in far away destinations a A321 can't reach. I hope the need for a long range jet within the BAF is clear now and will be discussed after this crisis.
The Luftwaffe recently got this A350. It has a long range, it's bigger than an A321 and smaller than an A330. This would be ideal for the BAF.
The 'white fleet' would consist of 2 Dassault Falxon 7X (for short trips) and 1 A350 (for long trips).
A350 smaller than a 330?!?!?
I was also wondering. And anyway, the Belgian Air Force will retire the A321 before the end of this year and get an A330MRTT.
