Belgium considers Lockheed F-35 to replace F-16s

U.S. government officials have briefed the Belgian government about the capabilities of the Lockheed Martin F-35, as Brussels prepares to replace its aging fleet of 60 F-16s.
Belgium is considering buying 35 to 55 F-35 jets. No decisions are expected until late 2014 at the earliest.
Belgium was one of the original NATO 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.
Neither Lockheed nor a spokesman for the Pentagon's F-35 program office had any immediate comment.
reuters