Ukraine Neighbor Romania Readies $6.5 Billion F-35 Jet Purchase

[Get Ya Wig Split]

Ukraine Neighbor Romania Readies $6.5 Billion F-35 Jet Purchase​

• Jet purchase to be the biggest such contract to date
• War has ‘moved to our doorstep,’ defense chief Tilvar says

Romania is poised to sign a $6.5 billion contract to upgrade its air force with US-made F-35 aircraft, the Black Sea nation’s biggest such deal to date as Russia’s war with Ukraine rages on the other side of the border.

Defense Minister Angel Tilvar said the government is awaiting parliamentary approval for the acquisition of 32 Lockheed Martin Corp.-made fighter jets along with logistics equipment, training and ammunition. The fleet should be in operation from 2030, he said.

“The war has literally moved to our doorstep for these last few weeks,” Tilvar said in an e-mailed response to Bloomberg, citing fresh Russian attacks on Danube river ports near Romania’s eastern border. “We are not ignoring these risks by any means.”

A North Atlantic Treaty Organization member since 2004, Romania has bolstered its air-defense capabilities with a High Launch Multiple Rocket System, HIMARS, which is expected to become fully operational next year — as well as three Bayraktar unmanned aerial systems, to be delivered in 2024, Tilvar said.

The nation is also awaiting the delivery of 32 F-16 fighters from Norway through 2025. Four Patriot missile batteries for air defense have been delivered, while a contract for a further three is likely to be signed by the end of 2023, the minister said.

Romania, the European Union member state that shares the longest border with Ukraine, has gradually boosted defense spending since 2014 and pledged to allocate about 2.5% of its gross domestic product for defense in the coming years.
Anxiety among people living close to the border has been growing after recent Russian attacks on Ukraine’s Reni and Izmail ports on the Danube, as they fear drones and missiles going off course could hit Romanian territory.

“While Romania, as a NATO member, benefits from the security guarantees of the Alliance and this offers the best security guarantee possible, it is a scenario that is taken into consideration by our military,” Tilvar said. “I can confidently say that we are prepared for any contingency situations.”

Ukraine Neighbor Romania Readies $6.5 Billion F-35 Jet Purchase

Romania is poised to sign a $6.5 billion contract to upgrade its air force with US-made F-35 aircraft, the Black Sea nation’s biggest such deal to date as Russia’s war with Ukraine rages on the other side of the border.

www.bloomberg.com

@F-22Raptor @Hamartia Antidote

@beijingwalker

 

[Gomig-21]

$6.5 billion for 32 aircraft plus logistics equipment, training and ammunition. Wow that's a lot of money.

The monopolization of the jet fighter industry by LM and the F-35 has really tightened the noose on whatever else is out there, be it French, Russian or Swedish, but specifically Russian since the Rafale seems to be doing ok with exports. It doesn't help either that the Russians are not marketing their Su-35s or Su-57 very well for that matter. They should be plugging up those things like it's nobody's business.

It also makes the buyer of the F-35 completely subservient to the US and LM because of the secret and sensitive technology in that jet which the US is the strictest about any 3rd party infractions. Not only all of that, but with NATO members there is a major list of flying routes and patrolling that each member has to undertake. Along with that comes very strict terms of usage.

Bottom line is that aircraft was critisized to no end and given the title of a failed money pit that will never make it in the real world of combat aircraft warfare yet here we are. I think it's safe to say that many of us who were on that critical path were quite wrong.

 

[Get Ya Wig Split]

$6.5 billion for 32 aircraft plus logistics equipment, training and ammunition. Wow that's a lot of money.

The monopolization of the jet fighter industry by LM and the F-35 has really tightened the noose on whatever else is out there, be it French, Russian or Swedish, but specifically Russian since the Rafale seems to be doing ok with exports. It doesn't help either that the Russians are not marketing their Su-35s or Su-57 very well for that matter. They should be plugging up those things like it's nobody's business.

It also makes the buyer of the F-35 completely subservient to the US and LM because of the secret and sensitive technology in that jet which the US is the strictest about any 3rd party infractions. Not only all of that, but with NATO members there is a major list of flying routes and patrolling that each member has to undertake. Along with that comes very strict terms of usage.

Bottom line is that aircraft was critisized to no end and given the title of a failed money pit that will never make it in the real world of combat aircraft warfare yet here we are. I think it's safe to say that many of us who were on that critical path were quite wrong.

Romania Looking To Acquire 48 F-35s, Reports Suggest​

Romania is reported to be planning to purchase 48 F-35 fighter jets. The country aims to upgrade its defense capabilities by replacing its existing F-16 fleet with these new Lockheed Martin-produced aircraft, with the first units set to be delivered in 2030.​

 

[Gomig-21]

Romania Looking To Acquire 48 F-35s, Reports Suggest​

Romania is reported to be planning to purchase 48 F-35 fighter jets. The country aims to upgrade its defense capabilities by replacing its existing F-16 fleet with these new Lockheed Martin-produced aircraft, with the first units set to be delivered in 2030.​

Now it's 48 jets? I went by this section of the article you posted which says the $6.5 was for 32 jets + training + logistics + weapons. That's a substantial difference of 16 aircraft.

Defense Minister Angel Tilvar said the government is awaiting parliamentary approval for the acquisition of 32 Lockheed Martin Corp.-made fighter jets along with logistics equipment, training and ammunition. The fleet should be in operation from 2030, he said.

The opening post article also says Romania is also awaiting the delivery of 32 F-16 fighters from Norway through 2025. That also contradicts this 2nd article you're quoting from which says the F-35 will be replacing the Romanian F-16s. Doesn't seem likely. Do I have it wrong?

 

[Constantin84]

32 Jets in the first order,and another 16 in a follow-up order a couple of years later, hence 48

 

[Constantin84]

Now it's 48 jets? I went by this section of the article you posted which says the $6.5 was for 32 jets + training + logistics + weapons. That's a substantial difference of 16 aircraft.



The opening post article also says Romania is also awaiting the delivery of 32 F-16 fighters from Norway through 2025. That also contradicts this 2nd article you're quoting from which says the F-35 will be replacing the Romanian F-16s. Doesn't seem likely. Do I have it wrong?

The F16's will be withdrawn from service in the 2033-2035 time frame

 

[Gomig-21]

32 Jets in the first order,and another 16 in a follow-up order a couple of years later, hence 48

That makes sense. 48 for $6.5 billion is a lot better than 32.

The F16's will be withdrawn from service in the 2033-2035 time frame

I bet you they'll still be flying and demonstrating the Lancers, though.

 

[Constantin84]

That makes sense. 48 for $6.5 billion is a lot better than 32.



I bet you they'll still be flying and demonstrating the Lancers, though.

The Lancers were withdrawn for good earlier this year.