Three F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft purchased by Romania from Norway landed on Friday at the 71st General Emanoil Ionescu Air Base at Campia Turzii; they will be used by the 48th Fighter Squadron, according to the Defence Ministry (MApN).

The acquisition of the new batch of F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft and the related package of goods and services will increase Romania's security by defending the national / NATO airspace, in peacetime and in crisis situations, via the Standing Combat Service - Air Policing (SLP-PA) under NATO command.

"Through the gradual arrival, this year and next, of the 32 F-16 Fighting Falcon multirole aircraft, to be used by two more Air Force squadrons, Romania strengthens its air defence capabilities to overcome the security challenges in the region. These aircraft will play an important role in maintaining a credible NATO defence and deterrence posture in connection with any aggression on the eastern flank and, equally important, will ensure the transition of the Romanian Air Force to the era of the fifth generation F-35 aircraft," Defence Minister Angel Tilvar is quoted as saying.

This is the second series of three F-16 aircraft purchased by Romania from Norway and the related package of goods and services, with the first being received at the end of November 2023, at the 86th Air Base at Borcea.

Photo source: MApN

"The aircraft will make sure the Romania meets the new NATO requirements, subsequently being introduced in the modernisation programme in the same configuration (M6. X) with F-16 aircraft from the first squadron, already in use by the Romanian Air Force. This solution ensures the involvement of the national defence industry in maintenance and modernisation works of F-16 aircraft, through Aerostar Bacau," according to MApN.

Currently, the Romanian Air Force has 20 F-16 aircraft. AGERPRES (RO - author: Mihai Stoica, editor: Claudia Stanescu; EN - author: Corneliu-Aurelian Colceriu)