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
More from Air Warfare
-
![Singapore Airshow 2026: Embraer still sees future C-390 opportunities in region following RSAF snub]()
Singapore Airshow 2026: Embraer still sees future C-390 opportunities in region following RSAF snub
The company disclosed several defence contracts and upgrades for its defence aircraft at the show, including additional Super Tucano orders and a new C-390 Millennium customer, Uzbekistan.
-
![Singapore Airshow 2026: Boeing eyes $65 billion Asia-Pacific market despite Indonesia F-15 halt]()
Singapore Airshow 2026: Boeing eyes $65 billion Asia-Pacific market despite Indonesia F-15 halt
With a growing customer list and portfolio expansion in the region, the company has said that it has a strong ongoing commitment to Asia-Pacific.
-
![Singapore Airshow 2026: ST Engineering’s EagleStrike aims for 2027 early-stage production]()
Singapore Airshow 2026: ST Engineering’s EagleStrike aims for 2027 early-stage production
The new loitering munition from ST Engineering, unveiled at the Singapore Airshow for the first time, is intended for use against high-value targets such as lightly armoured vehicles.
-
![Singapore Airshow 2026: RSAF refreshes air transport capability as part of force modernisation]()
Singapore Airshow 2026: RSAF refreshes air transport capability as part of force modernisation
Singapore is understood to have received three of four ex-Spanish C-130Hs from Blue Aerospace in recent weeks.
-
![“Dramatic leaps in processing capability”: how GDMS–UK is evolving mission systems for the modern battlespace]()
“Dramatic leaps in processing capability”: how GDMS–UK is evolving mission systems for the modern battlespace
In Conversation... Shephard’s Gerrard Cowan talks to Sam Steggall, GDMS–UK’s Senior Director – Air and Naval UK, about the company’s extensive and proven in-country capability to deliver complex avionics solutions and its key role on major Royal Air Force and Royal Navy aircraft programmes.
