The Belgian Air Force Days returned to Florennes Air Base on 27 and 28 June 2026, marking a spectacular weekend for aviation enthusiasts from Belgium and across Europe. The event was held as part of the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Belgian Air Force and the Florennes Air Base.
One of the main highlights was the Belgian Air Component’s new F-35A Lightning II. The aircraft represents a major step into the future of Belgian military aviation and was showcased alongside the F-16 Fighting Falcon, highlighting the transition from a proven fourth-generation fighter to a modern fifth-generation platform. The MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft was another important part of the display.
The international flying programme offered an impressive variety of modern combat aircraft, helicopters, historic warbirds and aerobatic teams. Highlights included the French Dassault Rafale, Swedish JAS 39 Gripen, Greek F-16 and F-4 Phantom II, Turkish F-5s, the Swiss Patrouille Suisse, Croatian Wings of Storm and Jordanian Falcons. Historic aircraft such as the P-51 Mustang, P-40 Warhawk and Spitfire added a strong connection to aviation history.
On the ground, visitors could explore a large static display featuring aircraft from numerous NATO and partner nations. The variety ranged from fighter aircraft and helicopters to transport and training aircraft, including the Airbus A400M, H225M Caracal, Belgian F-16 and the new H145M.
The Belgian Air Force Days 2026 successfully combined history, current operational capabilities and future technologies. Florennes once again demonstrated its importance as a major Belgian and NATO aviation base, while the event provided an outstanding showcase of European air power and international cooperation.
