question about Belgian AirForce

ehamspotter · Post by **ehamspotter** » 23 Apr 2006, 14:01

Hello;

Maybe this isn't he right forum, but i have question, i heard
from several people that the belgian airforce is going to be
replace its C-130 by A400M's, is this right???

rgds:Jeroen

pietn · Post by **pietn** » 23 Apr 2006, 14:31

yes, normally, the Belgian Air Component will buy 7 A400M's

greetings, Pietn

Post by **ElcoB** » 23 Apr 2006, 15:16

For more information and my point of vieuw see http://www.eurotrib.com/story/2006/4/1/151755/1853

ehamspotter · Post by **ehamspotter** » 23 Apr 2006, 16:58

Hello;

Okay, Cool, thanks

rgds:Jeroen

Post by **Bruspotter** » 23 Apr 2006, 19:26

Hello

It's indeed very cool. Only I DO really ask myself wetter they will be well able to pay this , anyway.

Maybe this isn't the right topic either , but now that we are discussing the Belgian Air Force (Belgian Defence) , I've got another question.

I recently visited the 'Koninklijke Technische School van de Luchtmacht' at Safraanberg (St. Truiden) for 4 days with my school , it's a military school...and we visited the hangar of course (wich counted a F-104 Starfighter in camouflage , a F-16A , a F-16B , a Mirage V (5) , 3 Aloutte II ,a Agusta A109BA , and a SIA Marchetti 260A.)
and they told us that the ALPHA JET who currently serves as training aircraft for F-16 pilots , are going out of service.

So does anyone knows what plane is going to replace the Alpha jet in this task? (because THAT they didn't told us

) , will it be in a twin seat F-16B?

Best regards: Yannick

pietn · Post by **pietn** » 24 Apr 2006, 09:17

They are already using the F-16B for training on F-16, so the replacement for the alphajet must be of a type just like the alphajet. But I find it strange they will replace the Alphajet, they've just started a combined training program with the French Air Force (since 2 years or so) and they also fly the Alphajet, will those be replaced then to?

(BTW: where will they get the money for a new type of trainer?, from those 12 F-16's they sold to Jordan?

)
(Suggestions for new trainer: Yak-130, Hawk, A-37 Dragonfly

8) )

greetings, Pietn

regi86 · Post by **regi86** » 24 Apr 2006, 11:33

Well I still find it incredible that the belgian aircomponent is training there own pilots until now, other "smaller" countries in Europe all send there students to Canada or the US for training (ie. The Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and I believe this is also the case for switzerland) even Germany sold there alpha's a long time ago and send there pilots to the US.

The Belgian air component has always been a fan of joint projects within Nato etc. so I think that they would be verry keen to get rid of the Alpha's and start a Joint training program like the one in Canada.
And I thought that the ground component got there Alouette's phased out together with closing Brasschaat. The training of those heli pilots is now for the most part done in France as well.
Oh and the Multi engine training just before going on C130, Embraer, airbus is also done in france....

greetz

Post by **Bruspotter** » 25 Apr 2006, 22:29

Hi

Indeed they're still training their pilots themselves.
Let's hope it stays like that. Is much more easier.

What I meant with using the F-16B for trainer instead of the Alpha Jet , is whetter , if they Alpha Jet is phased out , will they switch over to F-16B immediately after having completed training with Marchetti??:? sounds weird to me , so why removing the middle step?
Replacing Alpha Jets by other , not so recent training planes would sound quite strange to me too , since the Alpha Jet is still cheaper than a lot of other trainer-jets?

Anyway...maybe the person I heard it from told it not in the right way , maybe he meant that the squadrons just moved to France and that the training happens there? Because they did go to France anyway.

Another thing: Is it true that there is a possibility that the 'Seaking' rescue helicopters could be replaced by 'Lynx' helicopters or 'Merlin's'?
Another rumour I heard.

Seems like the Belgian Air Force is going to stand trough big costs the next coming 15 years.

Best regards: Yannick

Vonsmalhausen · Post by **Vonsmalhausen** » 25 Apr 2006, 23:53

The Seakings will be replaced by 8 (ore 10, not shure

) NH90's
those NH90's will also replace ( later on ) the Alouette III's of our Navy and serve as transport helicopter for the Army, 3 of them will be reserved for SAR tasks and all of them will be based at Koksijde.
And as for the Alfa Jet's, IF they would be retired soon ( what i doubt ) they will be probably not replaced, the Air Component has a contract with the French for training now, so they will just use the French equipment.

Post by **Bruspotter** » 26 Apr 2006, 14:08

Hello

Ok , thanks for the answers. It's getting me clear now. Would indeed be pity if they would disappear , the Alpha Jets , especially now that the BAF uses French equipment....

Do you also know why they moved to France?

To much noise up here wile exercising? Or are they afraid that the pilots are going to do stunning stunts with those Alpha Jets above Belgium?

About the sea-king's , great news , I already like it , the NH90 :p

Although It will be a little painful to see those Good Old Seakings leaving.
But life goes on. If it would be replaced by something really ugly I would matter more.

Anyway , go for it BAF!

Best regards: Yannick

Vonsmalhausen · Post by **Vonsmalhausen** » 26 Apr 2006, 14:28

Bruspotter wrote:To much noise up here wile exercising? )

no, just a question of budget ; working with the French is cheaper than doing it alone, and in the south of France weather is much better, so there is a gain in time as there are more hours a day/week that there can be flown.

Snoopy · Post by **Snoopy** » 05 May 2006, 21:27

The idea is to have an european training program in the future ... The Belgian Alpha Jets have been modernized and are used for the advanced phase of the fighter training program in Cazaux

Buzz · Post by **Buzz** » 06 May 2006, 00:28

Can you replace 11 C130's with 7 A400M's? The airbus is much bigger than the Hercules, but you loose a lot of flexibility, or do I got this wrong?

Is there a possibility of a follow up order by the BAF?

earthman · Post by **earthman** » 06 May 2006, 02:05

If they think they will mostly be sending lots of stuff to the same location, then you can replace 11 C130s with 7 A400Ms.

mac-rolec · Post by **mac-rolec** » 16 May 2006, 23:35

You have to keep in mind that only 8 of the 11 Herculessen are operational maximum. The rest are kept in maintenance or for spare parts, but shouldn't we say 10 now, because 1 was destroyed in the fire? But anyway if they get 7 A400M, they will all be full operational I guess, so they won't lose that much capacity. Also keep in mind that it is a big problem right now to keep the Herculessen operational.

I think if Belgium gets rid of their Alpha Jets, the pilots will be trained on French planes. Seems the most logical choice to me. Also the helicopter pilots will be trained on the French Gazelle instead of Alouette II.

earthman · Post by **earthman** » 17 May 2006, 15:27

They are buying a new used C130 to replace the one that was destroyed in the fire.

website-info · Post by **website-info** » 17 May 2006, 16:41

Hi All,

dont forget that there will in fact be 8 A400 based at Melsbroek, as the BAF are also going to operate one on behalf of Luxembourg,

Rgds
Tony

Buzz · Post by **Buzz** » 17 May 2006, 18:06

website-info wrote:Hi All,

dont forget that there will in fact be 8 A400 based at Melsbroek, as the BAF are also going to operate one on behalf of Luxembourg,

Rgds
Tony

Will it be based at BRU or just have Belgian crew and maintenance?

website-info · Post by **website-info** » 17 May 2006, 21:50

I'm told BAF crew, mx and based Melsbroek - I'm not sure Luxembourg even have an Air Force !

Rgds
T