Romania has requested the Parliament to provide the necessary financing to begin negotiations to purchase 32 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets.
The Romanian Ministry of Defence has requested the Parliament to provide the necessary financing to begin negotiations to purchase 32 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets, a significant step towards enhancing the country's defence capabilities. With this request, the budget has begun to be prepared.
With the necessary financing, negotiations are expected to begin with the U.S. government to purchase 32 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Based on information from the Romanian Ministry of Defence, the deal might be finalised in autumn 2024, pending permission from the U.S. authorities.
Nevertheless, Defence Minister Angel Tîlvăr has stated that the initial aircraft are not anticipated to reach Romania before approximately 2030. The initial aircraft that Romania intends to acquire will be stationed in the United States for a minimum duration of two years to provide training for pilots and ground crews. The projected worth of the contract is $6.5 billion for the purchase of 32 aircraft, not including any additional taxes.
The Ministry of Defence gave this figure to the Romanian Parliament last year, indicating a cost of little over 183 million euros per aircraft, based on the current exchange rate. The overall sum encompasses the procurement of F-35 Lightning II fighter jets, ammunition, diverse logistical and training services, as well as flight simulators.
Aside from the initial proposal to acquire 32 aircraft, there is also the possibility of requesting an additional batch of 16 aircraft, resulting in a total procurement of 48 F-35 Lightning II fighter fighters. The proposed extension, which was approved by the Romanian Supreme Defence Council (CSAT) in September 2023, is a manifestation of Romania's defence strategy aimed at countering Russia. Romania is actively working to enhance its fighter jet fleet while it awaits the acquisition of the F-35 Lightning II combat fighters.
The government of Bucharest is bolstering its air force by acquiring an additional 32 pre-owned F-16 fighter aircraft from Norway and 17 pre-owned F-16 fighter aircraft from Portugal. The country is also in talks with the U.S. to procure 186 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles for the procured F-16 fighter jets.
