Inside the Lockheed Martin’s System. Contribution on the debate on the replacement of the Belgian F-16

What political, economic, and military system looms behind Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter? In June 2014, the Belgian armed forces have launched a procedure intending at the replacement of their F-16 fighter-bomber planes. The F-35 is one of the five airplanes currently evaluated as possible successor for the F-16. Furthermore, many people believe Lockheed Martin’s machine has the favour of the Belgian pilots. This aim of this paper is to contextualize the Belgian debate which surrounds this replacement by exploring in a critical way the role of the social forces at play in this technical project.

Photo credit: shaneforce.skynetblogs.be (Our country sold sixteen F-16 fighter-bombers to Jordan: four two-seat and twelve single-seat)