Romania starts receiving Norwegian F-16s

22 November, 2023 Norwegian F-16AM fighter. Photo credits: Royal Norwegian Air Force The Romanian Air Force starts receiving used Norwegian F-16 fighter jets.

Romanian journalist Adelin Petrisor reported on this. The first three aircraft are due to arrive this week. These fighter jets have been withdrawn from service in Norway.

In November 2022, after several months of negotiations between the Norwegian and Romanian parties, an agreement worth EUR388 million was signed. The agreement includes the transfer of 32 F-16 fighter jets along with spare parts and auxiliary equipment, as well as maintenance services.

Lockheed Martin F-16AM/BM fighter jets of the Royal Norwegian Air Force, 2017. Photo credits: Norwegian Ministry of Defense

As part of this agreement, the Norwegian company Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services (KAMS) was selected as a strategic partner to provide support, maintenance, and training for Romanian maintenance personnel.

The value of the extended contract with KAMS, which was announced on June 8, 2023, is over NOK 700 million (more than £60 million). Also, in June this year, the United States agreed to sell equipment and services to upgrade former Norwegian F-16 fighter jets for the benefit of Romania. In addition, software support, supply of spare parts, consumables, and accessories, and maintenance support are provided.

The estimated total value of the supply is £105 million. The transfer of former Norwegian fighter jets to the Romanian Air Force is scheduled for 2023-2024.

An F-35A fighter jet of the US Air Force. Photo credits: US Air Force

The Romanian Defense Ministry is also planning to purchase fifth-generation American F-35 Lightning II fighter jets.

The estimated cost of the future program to purchase modern combat aircraft is £6.5 billion.