The Romanian Air Force (RoAF) completely ceased operations with its MiG-21 LanceR fighters last Friday (15) after a series of fatal accidents. At the same time, the country accelerated the purchase process for more than 30 F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters used by Norway.
According to the portal Romania Insider, the Ministry of Defense (MApN) reported that the decision was taken by order of the Chief of the Defense General Staff, General Daniel Petrescu.
The ministry explained that the measure was taken due to “the significant incidence of air events and accidents during the operation of MiG-21 LanceR aircraft that resulted in multiple casualties and damaged or destroyed aircraft”. The decision aims “improving aviation safety and preventing air events and accidents, reducing the risks associated with technical failures”.
The latest crash with a Romanian MiG-21 took place on March 02nd, when an aircraft crashed during a patrol mission, killing the pilot. An IAR-330 helicopter sent to search the crash site also crashed, killing all seven crew.
On the other hand, the Ministry said it will accelerate the acquisition of 32 F-16 aircraft from Norway, forming another two squadrons of the model. “The bill approving this acquisition has ed the legislative transparency phase and is in the approval circuit, and will be presented to the Romanian Parliament as soon as possible.”
The ministry also already plans the future acquisition of the Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter, the same one that replaced Norway's F-16AM/BM. "You available resources of the three squadrons of F-16 multirole aircraft, which will be operated by the Air Force, will guarantee their operation for a minimum period of 10 years and will form a transitional air capability for the fifth generation F-35. jets", said the MApN.
Currently, the Romanian Air Force has 14 F-16AM and three F-16BM, updated by the MLU (Mid Life Upgrade) program, as happened with the Norwegian fighters. The jets were acquired from Portugal between 2016 and 2020 and are operated by the 53rd Fighter Squadron, based at the 86th RoAF Air Base in Fetesti.
MiG-21 upgraded by Israel
Between 1995 and 2002, the Israeli company Elbit Systems and its Romanian partner Aerostar Bacău started an extensive program of upgrading 110 MiG-21 Fishbed fighters from the MiG-21M, MiG-21MF, MiG-21MF-75 and MiG-21UM versions to the LanceR A, LanceR B and LanceR C standards.
Capital R in the name LanceR refers to Romania.
The aircraft received integration with new weapons, such as Rafael Python III and R.550 Magic II missiles and the Litening pod, in addition to maintaining compatibility with Soviet-made weapons present in RoAF stocks, such as the R-60 and R missiles. -73 newer, both short range.
The modernization also added new navigation and communication systems, modern avionics, HUD (eye level display), multifunctional screens, HOTAS commands, Elta EL/M-2032 radars for the LanceR-C air superiority version and Elta EL/M -2001B for the LanceR A and B. The Elta EL/L-8222R electronic countermeasures pod can also be used by the modernized MiG-21.
Another important integrated instrument was the Elbit DASH integrated display helmet (HMD).
With it, the pilot can look outside the aircraft and still see primary flight information, such as heading and altitude, but also take aim and use weapons.
With the upgrade, the Romanian MiG-21 now has instruments and avionics similar to those found in 4th generation fighters. The EL/M-2032 radar, for example, is a match for the APG-66 used on the F-16. The upgrade program made the LanceR one of the most modern versions of the Soviet MiG21 fighter that is, to this day, the most produced supersonic aircraft of all time.
