Three F-16 "Fighting Falcon" fighters, which Romania bought from Norway, landed today at the 71st Air Base in Campia Turzii, Cluj County, Agerpress reported, citing a statement from the Ministry of Defense, BTA writes.
According to the announcement, the purchase of the new batch of F-16 "Fighting Falcon" and the accompanying package of goods and services will ensure the improvement of Romania's security by ensuring the defense of Romania's and NATO's airspace "in peacetime and in crisis situations".
"Through the phased arrival over the course of this year and next of the 32nd F-16 "Fighting Falcon" multi-role aircraft, which will equip two more air force squadrons, Romania will strengthen its air defense capabilities on a level adapted to the security challenges in the region," Defense Minister Angel Talvar said in the announcement.
The text notes that these aircraft will have an important role in maintaining a credible deterrence and defense posture against any aggression on NATO's Eastern flank, while ensuring the transition of Romania's Air Force to fifth-generation F-35 aircraft .
This is the second series of three F-16 aircraft bought by Norway, the first of which arrived at the end of November 2023 at the 86th Air Base in Borča, Klarash County, the ministry reminds.
The Romanian government has entered into a contract with the government of the Kingdom of Norway for the purchase of 32 F-16 aircraft with initial logistics support and an additional package of goods and services from the United States government. The aircraft will be delivered operationally ready and resourced to operate during the transition period of at least 10 years to fifth generation aircraft.
Currently, the Romanian Air Force has 20 F-16s purchased under the "Multirole Fighters for the Air Force" program, with the first squadron of 17 F-16s purchased from Portugal.