Romania has received US approval to place an order for 32 Lockheed Martin F-35A fighter jets, engines, spare parts and services in a package valued at $7.2 billion.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency said on Friday that it has “made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale” for the European country.
“The proposed sale will improve Romania’s capability to meet current and future threats by further equipping it to conduct self-defense and regional security missions while enhancing interoperability with the United States and other NATO members. Romania will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces,” the agency said.
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Romania has been waiting for US approval since early last year, when the Supreme National Defense Council gave the green light for the acquisition.
The government has signed a preliminary agreement with Lockheed Martin, but it is subject to formal authorization from the State Department to conclude a definitive contract.
First F-35 only in 2031
With a large border with Ukraine, which has been fighting against Russian military invasion since 2022, the country has implemented a broad modernization and expansion of its air force.
In addition to retiring its obsolete MiG-21 LanceR fighters, Romania has acquired 49 second-hand F-16 jets.
The F-35, however, will provide the level of defense capable of neutralizing potential threats to its sovereignty.
The Romanian Air Force will also benefit from the massive presence of the F-35 in member countries of NATO, the Western military alliance of which it is a part.
Deliveries of the fighters, however, are only expected to take place from 2031 onwards.
