Romania intends to purchase GBU-39/B guided high-precision aviation bombs from the United States, the defenseromania.ro portal reported.
This is a package of 400 GBU-39/B guided bombs worth 84 million euros. These high-precision bombs will be equipped with F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters based at the air base in the municipality of Mihail-Cogalicău (Constanța county). Boeing has sent a request to the US Congress for approval of this deal.
These bombs can be carried by various types of aircraft, including the F-35, the portal notes. The bomb weighs 129 kg, the explosive charge is 16 kg, the length is 1.8 m, the accuracy is 1 m.
Experts emphasize the importance of the purchase, but note that 400 bombs will be enough for only a few days of war in the event of an intense conflict, so this may only be the first stage of the deal.
Romania also recently purchased 186 medium-range AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, as well as 299 short-range AIM-9X SIDEWINDER air-to-air missiles, which are also intended to equip F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters.