Two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II fighters, assigned to the 4th Fighter Squadron from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, conduct flight training operations over the Utah Test and Training Range on February 14, 2018 | Photo: U.S. Air Force/Staff Sgt. Andrew Lee
The fifth generation Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter has got its latest customer, with Romania signing on to become the 20th country to acquire the aircraft. Romania has signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance for 32 F-35A aircraft that are expected to cost around $6.4 billion. Romania already operates the Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters.
A statement from Lockheed Martin quoted Lt. Gen Mike Schmidt, Director and Program Executive Officer of the F-35 Joint Program Office, as saying, “We are pleased to welcome Romania into the F-35 enterprise,” adding, “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 statement added that ‘The Romania Air Force’s F-35s will integrate seamlessly with existing F-16 fleets, enhancing the unique, powerful capabilities of each aircraft and establishing a fortified defence profile.’
According to the company it ‘established the European F-16 Training Center (EFTC) in Romania’ along with the governments of Romania and the Netherlands. ‘The partnerships in place at the EFTC deliver tailored training at an accelerated pace, ensuring Romanian pilots are fully prepared to execute their missions safely and effectively, said the statement.
The company says ‘more than 1,000 F-35s are currently operational around the globe, generating more than 940,000 flight hours,’ operating from ’33 bases worldwide, including 10 nations operating on home soil.’
According to the U.S. State Department, the first F-35A fighters are expected to be delivered to Romania by 2031.
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