The Superior Council of National Defense (CSAT) together with the Parliament of Romania, approved the purchase of fighter jets Stealth F-35 Lightning II from Lockheed. The board meeting took place this Tuesday (11) and was attended by President Klaus Iohannis.
One of the main debates at the meeting was about the security of the Black Sea and the country's position in relation to the conflicts between Russia and Ukraine. The Superior Council for National Defense (CSAT) determined that Romania should strengthen its air and anti-missile defense capabilities as well as improve its strike capability and long-range accuracy.
“The Air Force modernization process will continue with the purchase of state-of-the-art F-35 aircraft”, Romania said in a statement.
“These aircraft, equipped with a wide range of advanced sensors, the ability to exchange encrypted information in real time with air platforms and ground defense systems, the ability to truly manage the operational framework of the battlefield and with high performance smart munitions of precision, allow achieving and maintaining air superiority, an obligatory condition to ensure sovereignty in the national airspace and, if necessary, for its defence.”
Despite approving the acquisition of new fighters, the number of aircraft as well as the delivery forecast were disclosed.
The country already has 17 F-16AM/BM fighters from the Portuguese Air Force, and bought 32 more planes ex-Norway for 388 million euros. The “new” jets will be upgraded to MS 6.6 configuration and undergo an inspection prior to handover.
The F-16s will be operational for another 10 years, while the MiG-21 LanceR will soon be written off also. Thus, Teodor says that the government should start work on g the contract later this year, at the latest by the end of 2024.
“The acquisition of the F-16 is an intermediate step towards the deployment of the 5th generation aircraft, that is, the F-35. The Romanian army intends to obtain the first operational capability, the first squadron of F-35 aircraft, after 2030”, said Major General Teodor Incicaș, head of the General Directorate of Armaments last month.
Romania s the list of F-35 customers, which includes 17 other countries, initially information from high-ranking Romanian government indicated that the new defense aircraft would be delivered after 2030.
The F-35 Lightning I stealth fighterI of Lockheed Martin will have its 1000th delivery later this year.
With information AeroTime
