Romanian senators on Wednesday gave final approval to a bill authorising contracts to purchase the world’s most advanced fighter aircraft, the F-35, with the first delivery expected in 2031.

In this case, the Senate is the decision-making body, and the law now goes to the president for promulgation.

The vote follows a decision by the Supreme National Defence Council (CSAT) in April 2023, which approved Romania’s purchase of American F-35 jets. The acquisition package, valued at $6.5 billion (excluding VAT), includes logistical support for pilot training, flight simulators, and air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions, marking Romania’s most significant defence investment.

The exact quantities of additional equipment beyond the aircraft will be determined once the contract award process begins.

On 15 September 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.

“The F-35 will provide Romania with unparalleled air defence capabilities and enhance interoperability among NATO air forces,” US Ambassador to Bucharest Kathleen Kavalec said recently.

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.

(Sebastian Rotaru | Euractiv.ro)

Source: Euractiv.com