A F-35B fighter jet assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262 (Reinforced) lands aboard amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (US Navy)
BELFAST — The Romanian Ministry of National Defence expects to sign a Letter of Acceptance (LoA) with the US government for the acquisition of 32 Lockheed Martin F-35 fifth generation fighter jets in 2024, after reports emerged earlier this month that the country’s parliament had been asked to approve the $6.5 billion program.
“After the Parliament approval, such as the law requires, the procedures specific to the purchase G-to-G [government to government] type will be started,” a spokesperson for the Romanian MND told Breaking Defense in a statement. “Therefore, it is expected that the signing of the acquisition contract type Letter of Acceptance (LoA) to take place in 2024, and the first aircraft will be delivered to the Romanian Air Force starting in 2030.”
The acquisition, otherwise referred to by the spokesperson as the “F-35 Endowment Program,” is set to be completed in two stages, culminating in delivery of three F-35 squadrons. Parliament has only been asked to approve the purchase of two squadrons (the first step of the Endowment Program). No timeline was offered by the MND for a third squadron order.
A spokesperson for Lockheed Martin asked that any questions on foreign military sales be directed to the US government but said that the company “values our strong partnership and history with the Romanian Air Force and looks forward to continuing that partnership into the future.”
The initial order for 32 aircraft also includes 35 engines, weapons, ammunition, logistics support, training services and simulators, added the Romanian MND spokesperson.
Bucharest plans on operating the fighters jets across the Black Sea and NATO’s Eastern Flank in order to counter Russia’s aggression and increased threat in the wake of the Ukraine war.
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