The ceremony marking the reception and entering into the service of the Romanian Air Force of the last Fighting Falcon F 16 aircraft , out of the lot of five aircraft, which is part of the 53rd Fighter-Bomber Squadron, will take place on Monday, 12.00, at the 86th Locotenent aviator Gheorghe Mociornita Air Base from Borcea.

The aircraft, the seventeenth of this type procured by Romania, arrived in the country on 25th March, from Portugal.

The procurement of the new lot of F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft and of the adjacent package of goods and services ensure the increase of Romania's security by means of the permanent defence of the national /NATO air space, during peacetime and contingency, through the Permanent Combat Service-Air Police under NATO command, in accordance with the commitments assumed.
The acquisition program of this multirole aircraft represents an important opportunity for the involvement of the national defence industry, the entire 17 aircraft fleet following to be upgraded to M6.XR standard by Aerostar Bacau, an economic operator assigned Maintenance Center for the Romanian Air Force F-16 aircraft. The center will provide for the modernization and maintenance of the aircraft.

Journalists interested to participate in the event are requested to send their identification data (name, surname, series and number of the identity card, the media institution they represent and their phone number) and the vehicle identification data by Monday, 29th March, 10.00, on email address: proff@roaf.ro.

The mass-media representatives will be expected on Monday, 29th March, between 11.00 and 11.30, at the 86thLocotenent aviator Gheorghe Mociornita Air Base, Borcea.

Point of contact: Colonel Ionut NEAMU, cell telephone number: 0724 348 252.

The activity will be adapted to the current pandemic context, and will respect the social distancing and sanitary protection measures.

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The objective of the Air Force Multirole Aircraft Program is to equip the Air Force with multirole aircraft which will provide for the accomplishment of the objectives established in the National Defence Strategy, the Air Force's missions defending the national territory during peacetime, contingency and at war- and of the commitments assumed by Romania within NATO/EU national contribution to the collective defence.

The gradual building of the AD capability, as part of the Air Force Multirole Aircraft Program, was approved by HDSC Decision of September 27th 2012, which stipulates the gradual building of the final air operational capability, consisting in three fighting squadrons. The Romanian Government signed contracts with the Government of the Republic of Portugal and the Government of the Unites States of America for the procurement of twelve F - 16 aircraft, according to the provisions of Law 240/2013. The aircraft was delivered throughout 2016-2017 six on September 29th 2016, three on November 15th 2016 and three on September 28th 2017.

The acquisition of the last lot consisting in five aircraft, the last one arriving to Romania on 25th March, was made according to Law no.237/2019.

Once with the entering into the service of the Romanian Air Force of the last F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, all the 17 aircraft with M5.2R configuration will be upgraded to M6.XR standard.

The authorities aim at involving the national defence industry into the modernization of the F-16 aircraft to the new configuration as well as in the execution of the maintenance works, the capital repair works of the engines within the Maintenance Center for the F-16 aircraft designated by Memorandum by the Government of Romania, fact that will contribute to the consolidation and preservation of the air operational capability.

The upgrading to the M6.XR configuration is scheduled to be executed over 2023-2025, once with the delivery by the American partner of the equipment and software package dedicated to the F-16 aircraft procured by Romania.

Currently, the authorities are analyzing possible solutions to continue the Air Force Multirole Aircraft Program, according to the Conception for the building of the gradual air defence capability in order to form the second F-16 squadron.

The Press Office