Romania’s defense ministry has requested parliament to approve the purchase of 32 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets, Defense Minister Angel Tîlvăr said.
The planned procurement is estimated to be worth about $6.5 billion.
Mr. Tîlvăr told Antena 3 his ministry is “taking the first step towards equipping the Romanian Air Force with a state-of-the-art capability which will give Romania a consolidated status in the security architecture on (NATO’s) eastern flank and in the Black Sea region.”
On April 11, Romania’s Supreme Council on National Defense, chaired by President Klaus Iohannis, authorized the ministry to acquire the aircraft for the country’s air force.
The potential deal requires the approval of the United States Department of State.
The documentation which was submitted to the Romanian parliament indicates that, following the purchase of two squadrons comprising a total of 32 aircraft, Romania could pursue an acquisition of a third squadron consisting of 16 fighter jets, Defense News reported.
If the procurement goes ahead, Romania could become the third Eastern European ally, after Poland and the Czech Republic, to operate Lockheed Martin’s fifth-generation aircraft in its fleet. Romanian officials hope the country’s military could receive the first aircraft in 2030.
