OUR Norway announced today that she will Romania 32 used F-16 fighter jets worth 388 million euros.

The agreement, which was signed against the background of the war in Ukraine, which borders Romania, covers the supply of aircraft, spare parts, as well as maintenance and training of technical personnel.

Deliveries will take place in 2023 and 2024 after the modernization of the aircraft, the Norwegian ministry said.

“This will be an important contribution to the strengthening of the air force of a NATO ally and at the same time create value for the Norwegian defense industry, providing income to the Norwegian state,” said Norwegian Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram.

Bulgaria: “Green light” from Parliament

Bulgaria’s Parliament today gave the go-ahead for the purchase of a second batch of eight new F-16 fighter jets from the United States for about $1.3 billion.

The European Union and NATO member country, which ordered eight Lockheed Martin F-16 aircraft in 2019, is expected to replace Russian MiG-29 fighters and improve their compatibility with NATO standards.

The United States has already approved the potential sale.

The deal sparked a heated debate in parliament, where two Russian-friendly parties opposed the purchase, raising concerns about massive military spending and the fact that the Black Sea country has yet to receive the planes under the first contract.

Acting Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov backed the purchase with ten-year installments.

“We need a second batch of aircraft. The first eight F-16s will not be enough to fulfill our air patrol duties,” Stoyanov told parliament.

Bulgaria is also in talks with Poland to buy eight engines to keep the MiG fighter fleet operational until the end of 2023.

The first F-16s are expected to be delivered to Bulgaria in 2025, and the country also looks to lease other military aircraft to fill the expected gap and protect its airspace.

Source: APE/MEB