Transition program towards F-35, launched
The Romanian Air Force’s transition program to 5th generation aircraft has been launched.
Roxana Vasile, 22.11.2024, 14:00
The Romanian Air Force’s transition program to 5th generation aircraft has been launched.
Romania’s decision to acquire advanced fighter jets is a key step in the ongoing modernization of the Romanian Armed Forces and will contribute significantly to the long-term defense of the NATO Alliance and our collective security. This is the message of the United States Ambassador in Bucharest, Kathleen Kavalec, at the launch event of the Romanian Air Force’s transition program to 5th generation aircraft.
The 32 F-35 aircraft for which the acquisition contract was signed by the Romanian and American governments is the top of aviation performance at present, says the Defense Minister, Angel Tîlvăr: ʺF-35 aircraft have stealth technology, advanced sensor and communications systems, unparalleled speed and maneuverability, which makes them vital for modern military operations. The unique technological capabilities of these aircraft allow them to act as a multiplier for both deterrence and air defense capabilities, including those based on the ground, and for indirect fire force support systems, which can be supported in real time with data from the space in which they operate.ʺ
According to the minister, the allocation of 2% of the GDP for Defense since 2017, a percentage that has now reached 2.5%, has allowed the Romanian Army to begin the most extensive modernization process. And the advance – as stated by the US ambassador Kathleen Kavalec – is a significant one: the Romanian Air Force has switched from MiG aircraft to F-16 fighter jets, so that, from 2030, it will have state-of-the-art F-35 aircraft. The American diplomat recalled that the current security challenges are significant, and Romania, as a NATO ally on the eastern flank, has been directly affected by Russia’s war of aggression in the neighboring Ukraine.
When needed, the Romanian Air Force and the Alliance have mobilized fighter jets, following the detection of airspace violations in southeastern Romania, near the border with Ukraine. Beyond the military impact, says Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, the acquisition of the F-35 aircraft also has an economic impact: ʺBy integrating these aircraft into the Romanian Armed Forces, Romania has stimulated the development of the defense sector and will support the creation of jobs in key areas of the defense industry and technology. In addition, the integration of the F-35 into the National Defense System will offer new opportunities for training and professional development for our young specialists in the technological field.ʺ It is, therefore, an element that contributes to the development of a competent and well-trained workforce, the Prime Minister also said.
