F-35 Lightning II News

November 21, 2024 (by Lieven Dewitte) - Romania signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LoA) today with the United States for the acquisition of 32 F-35 fighter jets, along with their associated weaponry.
Romania's prime minister Marcel Ciolacu stated at the signing ceremony that, beyond military advantages, the agreement is expected to boost Romania's defense industry, creating jobs and fostering professional development opportunities for young specialists in key technological fields.

US ambassador Kathleen Kavalec said: "Romania's decision to acquire these 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."

The State Department (DoS) in the United States announced in September that it greenlighted the sale of 32 F-35 fighter jets to Romania under a deal estimated at USD 6.5 billion. The Romanian Senate approved the bill on this acquisition last week.

The Romanian Air Force currently has 26 F-16 aircraft, and is still expecting another 20 F-16s from Norway, which will be operational for at least 10 years before transitioning to the F-35. The F-16 jets will gradually be phased out of combat service, as was the case with the MiG-21 Lancer aircraft, a process that will start in 2034 and is set to be completed by 2040.

Romania also hosts a European F-16 Training Centre, operating 18 F-16 fighter jets from the Netherlands, another country that completed its transition to a new fleet of F-35s. The Centre, inaugurated in November 2023, provides training to Romanian and Ukrainian pilots.

To date, 20 nations have chosen the F-35. More than 1,000 F-35s are currently operational around the globe, generating more than 940,000 flight hours. F-35s operate from 33 bases worldwide, including 10 nations operating on home soil.