Three F-16 aircraft from Norway landed at Câmpia Turzii

Three F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft procured by Romania from the Kingdom of Norway landed on Friday, June 28th, at the 71st “General Emanoil Ionescu” Air Base, at Câmpia Turzii.

The F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft will enter the service of the 48th Fighter-Bomber Squadron of the 71st Air Base.
In this context, Minister of National Defence, Angel Tîlvãr, pointed out that the procurement of additional 32 F-16 aircraft from the Government of the Kingdom of Norway, which will equip two more Romanian Air Force squadrons facilitates the conclusion of the first stage of the “Air Force Multirole Aircraft” Program.

Rendering the following two F-16 aircraft squadrons operational , at Câmpia Turzii and Mihail Kogãlniceanu, will significantly contribute to strengthening Romania’s security and NATO's eastern flank, by conducting national and allied airspace defence missions with three squadrons, from three air bases, through the Permanent Air Policing Combat Service", Angel Tîlvãr stated.

Minister of National Defence also emphasized the importance of the establishment of the European F-16 Training Center in Fetești, which significantly increased the Air Force's ability to train its pilots in operating these aircraft in a far shorter time.

"The availability of the Netherlands and the American Company Lockheed Martin to contribute to the establishment and operation of such a Training Center, unique on European territory, represented a chance for Romania to render the second and third F-16 squadrons operational much faster. The power of the Alliance lies in the cohesion of its members, and the European F-16 Center in Fetești is a concrete proof of the steadiness of our common commitment to the peace and security of the Euro-Atlantic space ", Minister Tîlvãr said.
With the three F-16 aircraft that arrived today, the Romanian Air Force has received, so far, nine of the 32 ones that were purchased by Romania from the Kingdom of Norway, together with the related package of goods and services. The complete reception of the entire batch is estimated for the end of 2025.

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According to the Concept for the gradual building of the air defence capability, within the " The Air Force Multirole Aircraft" 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 the related package of complementary goods and services (from the Government of the United States of America). The aircraft will be delivered operational, their available resource ensuring their operation for a transition period to the 5th generation F-35 aircraft of at least 10 years, which turns the purchase of Norwegian fighter jets into a transfer of capability between two allied NATO countries.

The Press Office