brussels belgium receive proposals britain unite state replace age fleet fighter jet french proposal part tender process look separately belgium defense minister say belgium invite government-led proposals march replacement fleet lockheed martin f-16 plan 34 new fighters deal could worth 3.5 billion euros 4.2 billion last month france propose wide-ranging military deal belgium instead respond tender deal go beyond term tender whilst include sale rafale fighter jet french offer would discuss government could open belgium criticism treat candidates equally vandeput say clear french offer part contest minister steven vandeput tell parliamentary committee wednesday offer u.s. lockheed f-35 lightning ii plan british offer eurofighter typhoon meet tender rule minister add spokeswoman defense ministry say french proposal check legal service forward government would decide late stage whether respond rafales make france dassault aviation decline comment thursday boeing pull race last spring french government say proposal line belgium request make extend proposal legally relevant wait proposal belgian government spokeswoman french defense ministry say belgium make decision jet fighter pick next year 34 jet deliver 2023 rate 4-5 aircraft year belgium eye british u.s. jet french offer legal scrutiny