From F-16 to F-35: rebuilding Belgium's air bases for the next generation
Two identical complexes, built simultaneously to the security and energy standards of modern combat aviation.From F-16 to F-35: rebuilding Belgium's air bases for the next generation
Two identical complexes, built simultaneously to the security and energy standards of modern combat aviation.
Belgium's F-16 fleet is retiring. In its place: 34 F-35 aircraft, among the most technically demanding combat systems ever operated by NATO. The infrastructure that housed a generation of fighters built in the 1950s and 1960s cannot host what comes next.
At Florennes and Kleine-Brogel, two entirely new complexes are rising to meet that challenge. Under a Design, Build & Maintain contract led by Jan De Nul on behalf of the Belgian Ministry of Defence, Equans (alongside partners Cegelec and EEG) is responsible for all technical installations across both sites.
The challenge
The F-35 imposes requirements that go well beyond those of its predecessor. The aircraft is larger, which means bigger hangars. It captures and processes sensitive data, which requires an extended security perimeter. And it demands a level of technical infrastructure (electrical, digital, environmental) that 1960s-era facilities cannot provide.
Each base must accommodate four distinct zones:
- Administrative facilities
- Logistics and maintenance operations
- A secured zone housing flight simulators, restricted to cleared personnel
- A flight line with aircraft hangars
All works must comply with very high security standards. Equipment is systematically checked on arrival on site. At the peak of construction, over 100 Equans specialists are deployed simultaneously.
The solution
Equans is delivering the full multi-technical scope across both complexes:
- Low, medium and high voltage electrical systems
- Uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
- Access control and perimeter security
- State-of-the-art data centre
- LED lighting throughout
- Heat pumps and geothermal heating
- Centralised Technical Management system (CTM) programmed by Equans teams to monitor energy consumption continuously and enable ongoing efficiency improvements.
The two complexes are built to identical specifications. Works at Florennes began first; the first stone at Kleine-Brogel was laid in 2024. The Belgian Air Component expects to receive its first F-35A aircraft at Florennes in 2025, and at Kleine-Brogel in 2027.
Our value
- FOR SECURITYUltra-secure infrastructure designed to meet the data protection requirements of one of the most advanced combat aircraft in NATO's inventory.
- FOR ENERGY PERFORMANCELED lighting, geothermal heating and heat pumps reduce the environmental footprint of both bases from the outset.
- FOR OPERATIONAL READINESSA single multi-technical partner across both sites, covering design, installation and long-term maintenance, ensuring consistent standards, coordinated delivery and a single point of accountability across the full programme lifecycle.
