Romania approves purchase of 32 F-35s

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis has signed a law approving the purchase of 32 F-35 fighter jets from the United States in a deal valued at over $6 billion.

The agreement, which includes the acquisition of fighter jet engines, ammunition, and initial logistical support, will be financed through the Ministry of Defence's budget, loans, or loan guarantees provided by the US government, Caliber.Az reports citing Russian media.

In addition to the aircraft, the deal will cover the training of Romanian crews and support personnel, the purchase of cryptographic equipment, and the implementation of industrial cooperation projects aimed at transferring technology and products to Romania.

On September 15 this year, the US State Department approved the potential sale of 32 F-35A Lightning II fighter jets to Romania.

Funding will come from the national budget through allocations to the National Defence Ministry, with options for loans or loan guarantees from the US government or a mix of these sources. The Defence Ministry and the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism also intend to negotiate agreements with the F-35 manufacturer to support industrial cooperation projects.

A NATO member since 2004, Romania shares a 650km border with Ukraine and has occasionally encountered stray Russian drone debris as Moscow targets Ukrainian ports near the Danube River. In anticipation of the F-35 deliveries, Romania has bolstered its air defences by acquiring 32 used F-16 fighter jets from Norway and 17 acquired from Portugal since 2016.

The F-35 Lightning II is a single-seat, multi-role stealth fighter with advanced air superiority and strike capabilities. Its capabilities also include aerial reconnaissance, strategic bombing, military surveillance and electronic warfare. Lockheed Martin developed it in partnership with Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems.

By Vafa Guliyeva