The US Department of Defense (Pentagon) announced on Friday that the State Department has approved the potential sale to Romania of equipment and services for the modernization of 32 F-16 aircraft, Reuters reports.

The estimated cost of the sale of this equipment and services is up to 105 million dollars, according to the Pentagon.

The main contractor will be Lockheed Martin, the Pentagon said.

Romania is buying 32 F-16 aircraft from Norway

The Ministry of National Defense of Romania signed a contract with the Government of the Kingdom of Norway in November 2022 for the purchase of 32 F-16 aircraft in the M6.5.2 configuration, spare engines and logistics support.

The value of the contract signed with the government of the Kingdom of Norway is 388 million euros and is designed for three years, with the first aircraft to be delivered at the end of 2023.

Currently, the Romanian Air Force has 17 F-16 aircraft in the M5.2R configuration, which will be upgraded to the M6.6 configuration, purchased on the basis of the provisions of the Concept for the gradual realization of air defense capabilities within the framework of “Air Force Multipurpose Aircraft”.

The 17 F-16s were purchased in two parts from Portugal and upgraded with US help, and the whole package cost Romania around €628 million, including personnel training.

F-35 aircraft, after 2030

Romania will purchase the latest generation F-35 aircraft, the members of the country’s Supreme Defense Council decided. On April 11, they approved the concept of achieving the combat capability of air defense with V generation multi-purpose aircraft.

The process of modernization of the Air Force will continue with the purchase of the latest generation F-35 aircraft. These aircraft, equipped with a wide range of advanced sensors, the ability to exchange encrypted information in real time with both air platforms and ground defense systems, the ability to actually control the operational picture of the battlefield, as well as with high-precision intelligent munitions, make it possible to achieve and maintain superiority in the air, a prerequisite for ensuring sovereignty in national airspace and, if necessary, for its protection.

Klaus Iohannis already announced back in February 2022 that Romania will acquire the F-35 model, a 5th generation aircraft produced by Lockheed Martin, which has become the most chosen new aircraft in many NATO member states, including Norway, which is making a transition from the F -16, planes that will reach us in this way.

The transition to 5th generation aircraft, even if it is theoretically planned to happen after 2030, will take years and require, in addition to pre-signed contracts and large payments in installments before the machines are actually delivered, as well as infrastructure preparation, logistics and training pilots