The Government of Romania has confirmed its intention to acquire 32 fifth-generation Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft by signing a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) through the U.S. Government’s Foreign Military Sale (FMS) program. The new F-35As will be the replacement for the current Romanian F-16 MLU fighter fleet.
«We are pleased to welcome Romania into the F-35 enterprise,» said Lt. Gen Mike Schmidt, director and program executive officer of the F-35 Joint Program Office. «The integration of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft into the Romanian Air Force will significantly strengthen NATO’s deterrence capabilities by providing unmatched strategic, operational, and tactical advantages. The F-35 Joint Program Office is dedicated to continuing a strong relationship with Romania, ensuring a successful transition and providing comprehensive support for their pilots and maintainers as we move forward together on this great effort.».
“The F-35’s growing presence across Europe demonstrates alliance-based deterrence and is setting the foundation for NATO and allied nations’ next generation air power capability,» said Mara Motherway, vice president, Strategy and Business Development, Lockheed Martin.
The Romanian Air Force’s F-35s will integrate seamlessly with existing F-16 fleets, enhancing each aircraft’s unique and powerful capabilities and establishing a fortified defense profile. Last year, Lockheed Martin and the governments of Romania and the Netherlands established the European F-16 Training Center (EFTC) in Romania. The partnerships established at the EFTC provide tailored training at an accelerated pace, ensuring that Romanian pilots are fully prepared to execute their missions safely and effectively.
To date, 20 countries around the world have chosen the F-35 due to its advanced capabilities and connectivity, which strengthen their defense and deterrence strategies. Currently, more than 1,000 F-35s are operational globally, accumulating more than 940,000 flight hours. F-35s operate from 33 international bases, including 10 nations that deploy them in their own territory. In the face of advancing threats and aging legacy aircraft, the F-35 has become crucial to ensuring air dominance for decades to come.
