Bucharest is set to become the 20th nation to join the F-35 program after inking a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) for 32 F-35A Lightning II fighters.
Lt. Gen. Mike Schmidt, at the helm of the F-35 Joint Program Office, welcomed Romania into the fold, emphasizing the strategic and operational advantages the fifth-generation fighter brings to the alliance. “The integration of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft into the Romanian Air Force will significantly strengthen NATO’s deterrence capabilities,” Schmidt noted. He further pledged the program’s unwavering support for Romania’s smooth transition and comprehensive training for pilots and maintainers.
Lockheed Martin executives also hailed the agreement, highlighting its significance for Romania’s security and regional stability. “For nearly 30 years, Romania and Lockheed Martin have been defense and security partners,” stated Bridget Lauderdale, vice president and general manager of the F-35 Lightning II Program. “The acquisition of the F-35 further fortifies Romania’s national security and deterrent capability.”
Mara Motherway, Lockheed Martin’s vice president of Strategy and Business Development, underscored the wider implications for NATO’s air power. “The F-35’s growing presence across Europe demonstrates alliance-based deterrence and is setting the foundation for NATO and allied nations’ next generation air power capability,” she affirmed.
The F-35’s arrival in Romania promises to further solidify the nation’s air defence network. The advanced fighters will seamlessly integrate with Romania’s existing F-16 fleet, leveraging the unique strengths of both platforms. The European F-16 Training Center (EFTC), established last year in Romania through a trilateral partnership between Lockheed Martin and the governments of Romania and the Netherlands, will play a crucial role in facilitating a seamless transition for Romanian pilots to the F-35.
Romania’s decision to procure the F-35 is not merely an upgrade; it’s a strategic investment in NATO’s collective defence posture. The move signals Bucharest’s commitment to maintaining a credible deterrent in a rapidly evolving security landscape.
Details of the LOA, as outlined in a Defense Security Cooperation Agency press release from September, reveal a comprehensive package designed to equip Romania with a fully operational F-35 fleet. The deal, estimated at $7.2 billion, encompasses 32 F-35A aircraft, 33 Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines (including a spare), along with an array of support equipment, training, and logistics services.
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