F35 aircraft for the Romanian Army
The Romanian Army is preparing to acquire its most modern, fifth generation, F-35 aircraft.
Corina Cristea, 14.11.2024, 13:50
As part of Romania’s military strategy and following a decision by the Country’s Supreme Defence Council with respect to the gradual strengthening of Romania’s air defence capability, Parliament passed through an emergency procedure the bill regarding the purchase by Romania of 32 F-35 fighter jets from the US. The document was submitted to Parliament by the government last week, being approved by the Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday and passed by the Senate, the decision-making chamber in this case, only a day later.
This is the most expensive purchase in the history of the Romanian Army, amounting to 6.5 billion dollars, and includes spare parts and engines, logistical support, pilot and staff training services, flight simulators, as well as air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions. The funds needed for this investment will be provided from the state budget or through loans or loan guarantees from the American government.
Due to the complexity of the training process, the first F-35 jets are only expected to reach Romania in 2030. The F-35 is the best performing multirole combat aircraft today. It is equipped with “stealth” technology, which makes it more difficult to be detected by enemy radars. Because of the way it is built, namely the angular shapes of its fuselage and the materials used, and its being coated in a special material that absorbs electromagnetic radiation, the F35 can often fly without being “seen” by the enemy. The aircraft also features state-of-the-art sensors and advanced communications and information processing systems, being the first 5th generation air platform in production and available for purchase, and expected to become NATO’s standard 5th generation aircraft.
The 32 F-35 jets to be purchased by Romania will gradually replace the second-hand F-16 planes bought over the last ten years from Portugal and Norway. At a later stage, Romania also plans to buy 16 other F-35 jets, its aim being to create three full squadrons of fighter aircraft. According to the Minister of National Defence, Angel Tîlvăr, the latest generation military equipment acquired through collaboration with the United States in recent years has changed the profile of the Romanian Army in terms of action capacity and interoperability with allied armies.
“The Patriot and HIMARS missile systems, the Piranha V armoured personnel carriers, the F-16 multi-role aircraft, the NSM coastal batteries, and now also the 5th generation F-35 aircraft provide Romania with a strategically strengthened position in the region, where we act as NATO’s pillar of stability and with strong elements of interoperability with our allies”, said Minister Tîlvăr.
