U.S. Approves 12 F-35 Aircraft Purchase by Romania

The U.S. State Department has approved the sale of 32 F-35A Lightning II fighter jets, engines, and associated equipment to Romania in a deal valued at approximately $7.2 billion.

The sale marks Romania’s first acquisition of the advanced stealth fighter, potentially positioning it as a significant operator of the F-35 within Eastern Europe.

The deal includes 33 F135 engines, produced by Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX, to power the Lockheed Martin-manufactured aircraft. This package also covers a spare engine, logistics and maintenance support, as well as a range of other services, including communications and navigation equipment, weapons, pilot training, and simulators. Lockheed Martin will primarily manufacture the aircraft at its Fort Worth, Texas, facility.

This purchase would provide Romania with two squadrons of F-35s. The Romanian government has also expressed its intention to purchase an additional 16 aircraft to form a third squadron in the future, aiming to further bolster its defense capabilities as a NATO member.

If the deal is finalized, Romania will become the third Eastern European country to operate the F-35, joining Poland and the Czech Republic. This acquisition is part of a broader trend in the region as NATO allies seek to modernize their militaries amid growing security concerns.

Romania is expected to receive its first F-35s by 2030, with full delivery anticipated by 2031.