WARSAW, Poland — The Romanian Ministry of National Defence has requested the parliament’s approval for the acquisition of 32 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets, in response to Defense Minister Angel Tîlvăr. The planned procurement is estimated to be value about $6.5 billion.
In an interview with local broadcaster Antena 3, Tîlvăr said his ministry is “taking step one towards equipping the Romanian Air Force with a state-of-the-art capability which is able to give Romania a consolidated status in the safety architecture on [NATO’s] eastern flank and within the Black Sea region.”
On April 11, Romania’s Supreme Council on National Defense, a state body chaired by Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, authorized the ministry to amass the aircraft for the country’s air force.
The potential deal is to be carried out under the foreign military sales framework, and it should require the approval of the USA Department of State.
The documentation which was submitted to the Romanian parliament indicates that, following the acquisition of two squadrons comprising a complete of 32 aircraft, Romania could pursue an acquisition of a 3rd squadron consisting of 16 fighter jets.
Owing to the planned procurement, Romania could grow to be the third Eastern European ally, after Poland and the Czech Republic, to operate Lockheed Martin’s fifth-generation aircraft in its fleet. Romanian officials hope the country’s military could receive the primary aircraft in 2030.
Jaroslaw Adamowski is the Poland correspondent for Defense News.