Romania intends to buy F-35A fighters, but not even F-16s yet

The Romanian Ministry of Defence has requested funds from the government to purchase the latest F-35A fighter jets.

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The allocation of funding is now the last step before the official purchase of the aircraft begins. The government is expected to approve an extraordinary budget to finance the first Romanian F-35A, which will be built by Lockheed Martin.

Romania is to buy at least 48 fighters, including 32 under the first contract. The value of the deal is estimated at more than $6.5 billion, and may subsequently be increased through the purchase of aircraft under the option.

The Romanian Air Force will significantly increase its capabilities, as the F-35A will complement its fleet of 32 F-16A/B fighters. The order of an additional 16 aircraft under the option will allow the country to completely abandon the F-16 and switch to modern aircraft.

However, the country's Ministry of Defence noted that the plans are still far from being implemented, as the first stage of air force modernisation has not yet been completed.

"We are still far from that point, because 32 used F-16s ordered from Norway have not yet arrived," the ministry said.

Source: Romanian Ministry of Defence