The first three F-16 procured from Norway landed at Câmpia Turzii

Three F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft purchased by Romania from the Kingdom of Norway in order to equip the 48th Fighter Squadron landed on Friday, April 19, at the 71st "General Emanoil Ionescu" Air Base, in Câmpia Turzii.

The acquisition of the new batch of F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft and the related package of goods and services will ensure the increase of Romania's security by defending the national/NATO airspace, in peacetime and in crisis situations, through the NATO-led Air Police Permanent Combat Service.

"Through the gradual arrival, throughout this year and next year, of the 32 Multirole F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, which will equip two more squadrons of the Air Force, Romania strengthens its air defence capabilities to a level adapted to the regional security challenges. These aircraft will play an important role in maintaining a credible allied defence posture, deterring any aggression on the eastern flank and, just as importantly, they will ensure the transition of our Air Force to the 5th generation era – the procurement of F-35 aircraft”, Minister of National Defense, Angel Tîlvãr, said.

This is the second series of three F-16 aircraft purchased by Romania from the Kingdom of Norway and the related package of goods and services, the first being received at the end of November 2023, at the 86th Air Base "Lieutenant Aviator Gheorghe Mociornițã" from Borcea.
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According to the Concept for the gradual building of the air defence capability, within the "Multirole Aircraft of the Air Force" Program, the Government of Romania awarded the Government of the Kingdom of Norway the contract for the purchase of 32 F-16 aircraft, with initial logistical support and a package of complementary goods and services (from the Government of the United States of America). The aircraft will be delivered must be operable, with their available resource ensuring their operation for a minimum 10-year transition period to the 5th generation aircraft, which makes the purchase of the Norwegian fighter jets, in effect, a transfer of capability between two allied NATO countries.

The aircrafts will ensure the fulfillment of the new existing requirements at NATO level, following to be introduced in the modernization program in the same configuration (M6.X) as the F-16 aircraft from the first squadron, which had already entered the service of the Romanian Air Force. This solution ensures the involvement of the national defence industry in the maintenance and modernization works of F-16 aircraft, through Aerostar Bacãu Company.

Currently, the Romanian Air Force has 20 F-16 aircraft purchased, according to the provisions of the Concept for the gradual building of the air defence capability within the "Air Force Multirole Aircraft" Program.

The Press Office