US gives the green light to the sale of 32 Norwegian F-16s to Romania

9 June, 2023 Two Norwegian F-16 fighters. Photo credits: Royal Norwegian Air Force Norway will sell 32 F-16 fighter jets that were previously decommissioned to Romania.

This sale has been approved by the United States, which manufactures these fighter jets. The agreement also includes spare parts and training for Romanian Air Force technical personnel. "Now we are implementing the agreement we signed with Romania last November.

This is the sale of Norwegian F-16s to the Romanian Ministry of Defense. This will be an important contribution to strengthening the air defense of a NATO ally and at the same time will ensure the creation of new opportunities for the Norwegian defense industry. The sale has now been approved by both the Norwegian and American authorities," Norwegian Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram said.

Norwegian F-16 fighter jet. Photo credits: Forsvaret

Before delivering the fighter jets to Romania, the planes must undergo maintenance. Thus, the Norwegian Defense Materials Agency (NDMA) extended the agreement with the Kongsberg company regarding the maintenance of F-16 fighter jets for the sale to Romania.

It provides for the preparation of a total of 32 fighter jets. As previously reported, in November 2022, after several months of negotiations, an agreement worth EUR 388 million was signed between the Norwegian and Romanian parties. The deal includes the transfer of 32 F-16 fighter jets, along with spare parts and support equipment, as well as maintenance services.

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Lockheed Martin F-16AM/BM Fighting Falcon fighter jets from the 331st Squadron of the 132nd Air Wing of the Norwegian Air Force.

2017. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Norway

Under this agreement, the Norwegian company Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services (KAMS) was selected as a strategic partner to provide support, maintenance and training for Romanian technical personnel. The value of the extended contract with KAMS, announced on June 8, 2023, is more than NOK 700 million (over £60 million). The transfer of fighter jets to the Air Force of Romania is tentatively scheduled for 2023-2024.

Norway has also sold twelve F-16 fighter jets to the American company Draken International, which will use them for combat training of pilots.

However, this sale has not yet been approved by the US authorities.