Belgium is to contribute a squadron of 12 Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter-bombers and 11 Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules transports to the European Rapid Intervention Force. Defence ministers from the 15-nation Western European Union (WEU) decided to form the force at a meeting in Lisbon on 28 February. A 60,000-strong force able to intervene in Europe without requiring US assistance will be created.
Source: Flight International