Romania Receives Three Additional F-16 Fighter Jets from Norway

Romania has taken delivery of three F-16 multi-role fighter jets from Norway, bringing the total number of Norwegian F-16s in its fleet to 15.

The Romanian Ministry of Defense announced that the aircraft arrived at the General Emanoil Ionescu air base on Friday, December 13. These jets will join the 48th Fighter Squadron as part of Romania's effort to enhance its air defense capabilities.

Under an agreement between Norway and Romania, a total of 32 F-16s are being transferred in a ready-to-use condition, with a service life of at least ten years. The aircraft will remain operational until Romania transitions to fifth-generation F-35A fighters, under a $7.2 billion contract signed on November 21.

The ministry stated that the new F-16 acquisition will bolster Romania's security by defending national and NATO airspace in peacetime and crises, supporting NATO Air Policing.

Romania is simultaneously modernizing its ground and air defense capabilities. On November 28, Turkish manufacturer Otokar secured a contract to supply 1,059 COBRA II 4×4 armored vehicles to the Romanian Armed Forces. The deal, worth approximately €857 million, includes the production of 278 units in Turkey, with plans for further localization and manufacturing in Romania.

Additionally, in October, the U.S. Department of State approved the sale of Sentinel air surveillance radar systems to Romania. The first two systems, valued at $90 million, will be funded through the U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Military Financing Fund.