The Romanian Ministry of National Defence (MApN) has submitted to parliament a request for approval to purchase an initial 32 Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, local news channel Antena 3 CNN reported on 9 August 2023.
This initial package, which would equip two squadrons, is worth USD 6.5 Bn (EUR 5.9 Bn) and would include engines, logistic support, training services, flight simulators, air-to-air munitions and air-to-ground munitions, according to the request. It would be followed by the subsequent purchase of 16 more F-35s to equip a third squadron.
“By sending to the Romanian Parliament the request for approval of the purchase of the fifth-generation F-35 aircraft, we are taking the first step towards equipping the Romanian Air Force with a state-of-the-art capability, which will give Romania a consolidated status in the security architecture on NATO’s Eastern Flank and in the Black Sea region,” Romanian Defence Minister Angel Tîlvăr told Antena 3 CNN.
Tîlvăr said that Romania would receive its first F-35s in 2032 as long as the US Foreign Military Sales process sees the acquisition approved in 2024, adding that the F-35 programme will be discussed in the Romanian parliament this autumn with a view to finalising the deal next year.
Romania announced its decision to press ahead with acquisition of the F-35 – an aircraft the MApN has long coveted – following a meeting on 11 April 2023 of the country’s Supreme National Defence Council, but no numbers were mentioned at that point.
Following the retirement of its MiG-21 LanceR fleet on 15 May this year, the Romanian Air Force (RoAF) currently operates 17 refurbished ex-Portuguese F-16AM/BMs that were acquired between October 2016 and March 2021. A EUR 388 M contract for 32 ex-Norwegian F-16s was also signed on 4 November 2022, with first deliveries planned for late 2023.
Peter Felstead
