Why Belgium’s Pick Of Its Next Fighter Is Pivotal For Europe’s Future Security (From Forbes)

Belgium is about to select a replacement for its aging F-16 fighters.  As chance would have it, the same companies that built the F-16 airframe and engine — Lockheed Martin and United Technologies/Pratt & Whitney — also build the F-35 fighter.  That’s a good thing, because the stealthy F-35 is by far the best choice to be Belgium’s next-generation fighter, and the two companies have long since established deep roots in Belgian industry.  It should be an easy thing for Lockheed and Pratt to offer an industrial package that makes picking the most capable fighter also the most politically palatable solution.  I have written a commentary for Forbes here.