Final ex-Portuguese F-16 arrives in Romania
Chief of the Defence Staff Lt Gen Daniel Petrescu at the reception ceremony for the F-16 aircraft at Borcea Air Base, 26 March 2021. (Photo: Romanian MoD)
Landing at Borcea Air Base marks the completion of an eight-year programme to acquire second-hand F-16s for the Romanian Air Force. The next step is an upgrade in 2023-2025.
The 17th and final ex-Portuguese Air Force F-16 multirole fighter aircraft for Romania landed in-country at Borcea Air Base on 25 March.
This marked the completion of a programme that began in 2013 when the Romanian Air Force ordered 12 F-16 Block 15 MLU fighters (nine F-16AMs and three F-16BMs) from Portugal for €628 million ($701 million) deal.
A second order for five F-16s (including one twin-seater) followed in a 2019 contract (worth an estimated $250 million according to Shephard Defence Insight).
Romania is committed to upgrading all 17 aircraft to the M6XR standard, with support from Lockheed Martin in a $175.4 million FMS deal.
‘The upgrading to the M6XR configuration is scheduled to be executed over 2023-2025, with the delivery by the American partner of the equipment and software package dedicated to the F-16 aircraft procured by Romania,’ the Romanian MoD noted on 26 March.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
-
![How uncrewed rotary platforms are shaping approaches to contested logistics]()
How uncrewed rotary platforms are shaping approaches to contested logistics
Defence industry primes are working on an array of different platforms to meet the growing need for rotary uncrewed aerial vehicles to carry out future logistics missions.
-
![Eastern European helicopter modernisation could open doors for Western manufacturers]()
Eastern European helicopter modernisation could open doors for Western manufacturers
With some Eastern European countries already upgrading their helicopter fleets to incorporate Western technology, the region presents potential future opportunities for defence companies.
-
![UK E-7 Wedgetail delay down to a “technology issue”, as MoD grapples with slipping timelines]()
UK E-7 Wedgetail delay down to a “technology issue”, as MoD grapples with slipping timelines
The first of three E-7 Wedgetail aircraft, originally ordered in 2019, is now expected to be delivered to the RAF this year after multiple “difficulties”.
-
![Forecast $21.9 billion light attack and trainer opportunities up for grabs as Leonardo lines up M-346]()
Forecast $21.9 billion light attack and trainer opportunities up for grabs as Leonardo lines up M-346
The M-346 stands as a potential contender for various countries facing impending capability gaps due to ageing trainer aircraft, while it could also be selected as a cost-effective light fighter aircraft.
-
![US Air Force seeks capabilities to improve C3 for aircraft fleet and warfighters]()
US Air Force seeks capabilities to improve C3 for aircraft fleet and warfighters
The USAF published RFIs for enhancing its C3 capabilities after losing, in Operation Epic Fury, four aircraft in non-confrontational, unclear situations that could have been related to command, control and communication failures.
-
![European CCA programmes see progress as industry narrows in on key flight milestones]()
European CCA programmes see progress as industry narrows in on key flight milestones
European defence firms including Airbus, Helsing, General Atomics and Anduril are accelerating development and testing of collaborative combat aircraft to meet Germany’s loyal wingman requirement, targeting operational deployment by the end of the decade.
