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25-04-2024, 10:01 PM
Romania is bolstering its air force capabilities by replacing Soviet-era MiG-21s with F-35 & F-16. In 2023, Romania acquiring 32 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning IIs, plans to add 16 more to form three full squadrons by decade's end.
Summary: Romania is bolstering its air force capabilities by replacing Soviet-era MiG-21s with advanced F-35 and F-16 fighters. In 2023, Romania committed to acquiring 32 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning IIs, with plans to add 16 more to form three full squadrons by the decade's end. First batch F-16 landed in Nov joined another 17, F-16AM/BM jets purchased from Portugal.
They already operated, remainder 26 jets, along with parts n services set to be delivered by 2025.
"The sale of the F-16 will strengthen and modernize the defenses of Romania, an allied nation along NATO's eastern flank that is also a neighbor of Ukraine," Norwegian Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram said at the official handover of the aircraft last year.
The Fighting Falcons operated by 48th Fighter Squadron from Air Base 71 at Campia Turzii in central Romania will take part in missions under Permanent Combat Service – Air Police under NATO command.
"Through the gradual arrival, throughout this year & next, of 32 multi-role F-16 aircraft, will endow two more squadrons Romania is strengthening its capabilities of air defense at a level adapted to the security challenges in the region," said Romanian Minister of National Defense Angel Tilvar. "These aircraft will play an important role in maintaining a credible Allied defense posture and deterrence of any aggression on the eastern flank and, just as importantly, will ensure the transition for our air forces towards the fifth generation era – the endowment with F-35 aircraft."
Since it first entered service in 1979, the F-16 has engaged in more than 400,000 combat hours, has logged more than 19 million flight hours. F-16 has been adapted for several missions, including air-to-air fighting, ground attack, and electronic warfare. It has proven to be a highly maneuverable combat fighter, and its combat radius exceeds that of its potential threats.
While U.S. Air Force is no longer acquiring aircraft, Lockheed Martin continues to build the F-16 for foreign customers around the world. F-16 remains most successful, combat-proven multi-role jet fighter ever produced, with more than 4,600 aircraft built since production was approved in 1976.
Summary: Romania is bolstering its air force capabilities by replacing Soviet-era MiG-21s with advanced F-35 and F-16 fighters. In 2023, Romania committed to acquiring 32 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning IIs, with plans to add 16 more to form three full squadrons by the decade's end. First batch F-16 landed in Nov joined another 17, F-16AM/BM jets purchased from Portugal.
They already operated, remainder 26 jets, along with parts n services set to be delivered by 2025.
"The sale of the F-16 will strengthen and modernize the defenses of Romania, an allied nation along NATO's eastern flank that is also a neighbor of Ukraine," Norwegian Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram said at the official handover of the aircraft last year.
The Fighting Falcons operated by 48th Fighter Squadron from Air Base 71 at Campia Turzii in central Romania will take part in missions under Permanent Combat Service – Air Police under NATO command.
"Through the gradual arrival, throughout this year & next, of 32 multi-role F-16 aircraft, will endow two more squadrons Romania is strengthening its capabilities of air defense at a level adapted to the security challenges in the region," said Romanian Minister of National Defense Angel Tilvar. "These aircraft will play an important role in maintaining a credible Allied defense posture and deterrence of any aggression on the eastern flank and, just as importantly, will ensure the transition for our air forces towards the fifth generation era – the endowment with F-35 aircraft."
Since it first entered service in 1979, the F-16 has engaged in more than 400,000 combat hours, has logged more than 19 million flight hours. F-16 has been adapted for several missions, including air-to-air fighting, ground attack, and electronic warfare. It has proven to be a highly maneuverable combat fighter, and its combat radius exceeds that of its potential threats.
While U.S. Air Force is no longer acquiring aircraft, Lockheed Martin continues to build the F-16 for foreign customers around the world. F-16 remains most successful, combat-proven multi-role jet fighter ever produced, with more than 4,600 aircraft built since production was approved in 1976.
