State Department approves potential $6.5 billion F-35A sale to Belgium

The State Department has cleared a potential $6.5 billion sale of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters to Belgium, which is in the midst of competing a new fighter requirement.

The possible sale is for 34 of Lockheed Martin's F-35A conventional-takeoff-and-landing aircraft, including 38 Pratt & Whitney F-135 engines, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

"This proposal is being offered in the context of a competition," DSCA notes.

Last month, Defense-Aerospace.com reported the F-35, the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Dassault Rafale are the three platforms in contention for Belgium's new tactical fighter. Brussels is expected to make a selection in February, the website reported.

On its F-35 website, Lockheed's pitch for the JSF states the company and the Belgian military and industry "have a longstanding working relationship, partnering on programs such as the C-130 Hercules and F-16 Fighting Falcon."

"Belgium's participation in the F-35 program would provide many opportunities to pursue the next generation of industry partnerships in Belgium," Lockheed's website continues.