Belgian Company to 3D-Print F-35 Fighter Jet Parts in Landmark Deal
A small Belgian company with just ten employees has secured a landmark agreement with American aerospace giant Lockheed Martin to explore the use of large-format metal 3D printing for producing and repairing components for F-35 fighter jets. The contract, valued between €5 and €10 million, positions the Zelzate-based firm Guaranteed among the world leaders in large-scale metal additive manufacturing.
The agreement, signed in late June and announced publicly on July 9, 2026, was formalized at a ceremony attended by Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken, Lockheed Martin representatives, and Guaranteed CEO Joachim Antonissen. It falls under Lockheed Martin’s Economic Security Initiative (ESI), a program launched in 2023 as part of Belgium’s F-35 industrial participation strategy, as reported by HLN.
A Spin-Off with World-Class Ambitions
Guaranteed was founded in 2019 as a spin-off from steel giant ArcelorMittal, the OCAS steel research center, and investment company Finindus. The company specializes in Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM), a metal 3D printing process that uses an electric arc to melt metal wire at temperatures of 1,300–1,400°C, which is then deposited layer by layer by robotic arms to build large metal components.
What sets Guaranteed apart is its extraordinary scale. The company can print metal parts weighing from 10 kilograms up to 20 tons, with a build volume of 10 by 6 by 5 meters. “We belong to the absolute world top,” Antonissen told 3D Adept Media.
Strategic Importance for Defense Supply Chains
The partnership comes at a time when NATO allies are increasingly focused on supply chain resilience. Under the ESI framework, Lockheed Martin aims to build secure, local manufacturing capacity for sensitive aerospace components, ensuring critical know-how and repair pathways remain within trusted national partners.
“We set up a research program together with Lockheed Martin to investigate how we can print parts that can later be used for the maintenance of F-35s,” Antonissen explained. “This means repairs can be done in Flanders and we are less dependent on suppliers from abroad. Given the current geopolitical situation, that is a major asset.”
Belgium has already taken delivery of its first F-35 Lightning II jets, which are stationed at Florennes Air Base, replacing the country’s aging F-16 fleet. The industrial participation program ensures that Belgian companies benefit economically from the procurement.
Three Key Advantages of WAAM Technology
According to Antonissen, WAAM offers three major benefits for military aviation. First, it enables on-demand production of new components. Second, it allows for the reproduction of obsolete parts as long as technical drawings exist. Third—and perhaps most significantly—it enables localized repair of damaged sections rather than full component replacement.
“If a part of an F-35 is damaged by a bird impact, the entire component is often replaced, while you actually only need to repair a small zone,” Antonissen told PowderSight. “Thanks to our technology, we can repair only the damaged part. That saves raw materials, time, and money.”
From Reluctance to Commitment
Guaranteed’s entry into the defense sector was not taken lightly. The company’s board debated the decision for approximately 1.5 years before committing to focus exclusively on defensive applications. “Initially we did not want to go in that direction,” Antonissen admitted. “But ultimately we decided to focus exclusively on applications with a defensive character. In the current geopolitical context, we consider that a responsible choice.”
Beyond Defense: A Diversified Client Base
While the Lockheed Martin deal marks a significant milestone, Guaranteed has built a diversified portfolio. The company has completed over €1 million in repairs for ArcelorMittal, works with Belgian dredging company DEME, and has produced a component for a European Space Agency rocket program. It is also a series supplier of hybrid crankpins for the Norwegian shipping industry, validated by DNV, as detailed by 3D Print Magazine.
What’s Next
The initial contract is valued between €5 and €10 million, but Guaranteed expects follow-up orders. The company plans to attract additional investors, hire more employees, and expand both within Flanders and into other European countries. The research program with Lockheed Martin will determine which specific F-35 components can be 3D-printed or repaired, with certification pathways for WAAM-produced aerospace components remaining a key challenge to address.
As Guaranteed prepares to scale from a 10-person operation to meet the demands of one of the world’s largest defense contractors, the company’s journey from a steel industry spin-off to a player in the global F-35 supply chain illustrates how specialized expertise can create outsized impact in advanced manufacturing.
For more information, visit Guaranteed’s official website.