Romania eyes 32 F-35s for $6.5B

Romania has requested the parliament’s nod to acquire two squadrons consisting of 32 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jets for $6.5 billion.

In an interview with local broadcaster Antena 3, Defense Minister Angel Tîlvăr said 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.”

Romania’s Supreme Council on National Defense, a state body chaired by President Klaus Iohannis, authorized the defense ministry on April 11 to acquire F-35s for the country’s air force.

The potential deal is to be carried out under the foreign military sales (FMS) framework, and it will require the approval of the United States Department of State.

Romania could also pursue an acquisition of a third squadron consisting of 16 fighter jets.

If the deal reaches fruition, Romania will become the third Eastern European ally, after Poland and the Czech Republic, to operate F-35s.

Romanian officials hope the country’s military could receive the first aircraft in 2030.