Romania kjøper 32 F-35 - Aerospace Global News

 

Romania signs up for F-35

Romania has joined the F-35 Lightning II program, signing a Letter of Offer and Acceptance to acquire 32 F-35 Lightning II aircraft from Lockheed Martin through a US Foreign Military Sale.

 

Jon Lake

November 21, 2024

 

Romania has become the 20th member of the F-35 global fleet, marking a significant step forward in Romania’s defence strategy. Lockheed Martin has said that the F-35 is the most cost-effective solution for Romania, combining unprecedented operational capability with an affordable, efficient global sustainment network. More than 1,060 F-35s are currently operational around the globe, and these have amassed more than 940,000 flying hours, and the type now provides the backbone of European air power.

Lt. Gen Mike Schmidt, director and program executive officer of the F-35 Joint Program Office said that: “We are pleased to welcome Romania into the F-35 enterprise. The integration of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft into the Romanian Air Force will significantly strengthen NATO’s deterrence capabilities by providing unmatched strategic, operational, and tactical advantages.”

Acquisition of the F-35 will mark a new step in what has been a remarkable modernisation programme, with F-16s replacing ageing Soviet-era MiG-29s and upgraded MiG-21 Lancers.

Lockheed Martin has worked with Romania as a trusted defence and security partner for nearly 30 years, latterly supporting the 17 F-16s (14 A-models and 3 B-models) acquired second-hand from Portugal in 2016-2020, and helping to establish the new training center at the Fetești air base, which will operate 18 ex-Dutch F-16s. Some 32 more F-16s have been acquired from Norway, about 12 of which have now been delivered. It is hoped that these will ‘bridge’ the gap before the new F-35As are delivered.

 

There seems to be some connection between the Romanian F-35 programme and the Dacian Draco. The Draco, a mythical hybrid of wolf, dragon and serpent, was viewed by the Dacians as a special protective and religious symbol.

 

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