Romania strengthens 48th Fighter Squadron with additional ex-Norwegian F-16 jets
{loadposition bannertop}
{loadposition sidebarpub}
On December 13, 2024, the Romanian Ministry of Defence announced that three F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft purchased by Romania from Norway landed at the 71st “General Emanoil Ionescu” Air Base in Câmpia Turzii. This delivery contributes to equipping the 48th Fighter Squadron as part of Romania’s ongoing efforts to replace its fleet of MiG-21 LanceR fighters. With these aircraft, the 48th Fighter Squadron now operates 15 F-16s obtained from Norway.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The transition to the F-16 Fighting Falcon represents a significant advancement for the Romanian Air Force, as the F-16 features more advanced avionics, greater payload capacity, and improved maneuverability compared to the MiG-21 LanceR. (Picture source: Romanian MoD)
These F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters are part of a contract signed with Norway on November 4, 2022, through which Romania is acquiring 32 F-16 aircraft for €388 million. This agreement includes initial logistical support and a package of complementary goods and services. The aircraft, expected to remain operational for at least a decade, will serve as a transition to fifth-generation fighters, including the F-35. Before delivery, the Norwegian aircraft undergo servicing to ensure compliance with operational standards.
Norway retired its F-16 fleet in January 2022, replacing them with F-35 fighters. Norway sold 32 of these aircraft to Romania while donating others to Ukraine. The delivery of the F-16s to Romania is viewed as a capability transfer between NATO allies. The first squadron equipped with Norwegian F-16s is stationed at Câmpia Turzii, with a second squadron planned at Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base. The F-16 will support NATO’s Permanent Combat Service – Air Police operations and defend Romanian and NATO airspace during peacetime and crisis situations, replacing the Soviet-era Mikoyan MiG-21 LanceR.
The MiG-21 LanceR, a Romanian upgrade of the Soviet-era MiG-21 fighter, was introduced in the late 1990s to extend the aircraft’s operational life and improve its capabilities. Developed in collaboration with Israel’s Elbit Systems, the program produced three variants: LanceR A for ground attack, LanceR B for training, and LanceR C for air superiority. Upgrades included modern avionics, compatibility with both Eastern and Western weapons such as the R-60M, R-73, Magic 2, and Python III missiles, and improved radar systems. Despite these enhancements, the MiG-21 LanceR had limitations in range, payload capacity, and maintenance, leading to its retirement from the Romanian Air Force in May 2023.
The acquisition of the F-16 Fighting Falcon represents a notable shift in Romania’s air capabilities. The F-16 features more advanced avionics, greater payload capacity, and improved maneuverability compared to the MiG-21 LanceR. It is equipped with modern radar systems and a wide range of weaponry, including AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, as well as precision-guided munitions. The multirole capabilities of the F-16 enable it to perform both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. Romania’s purchase of 32 F-16s from Norway, along with its existing fleet from Portugal, will form three squadrons, aligning the country’s air force with NATO standards and improving operational readiness.
Romania’s F-16 procurement program began in 2013 under the Peace Carpathian program with the acquisition of 12 F-16 aircraft from Portugal for $252.6 million. This program included former Portuguese and United States Air Force aircraft supplied to Portugal for resale. Five additional F-16s were purchased from Portugal in 2019 and delivered by 2021. In March 2019, Romania initiated procedures to acquire 36 more F-16s. The current Norwegian contract marks the next phase in modernizing the air force and gradually increasing the fleet to 51 F-16s by 2025.
Romania has also established the European F-16 Training Centre (EFTC) at the 86th Air Base in collaboration with Lockheed Martin, Romania, and the Netherlands. This facility trains Romanian pilots and is expected to expand to other NATO operators, including Ukraine. The Netherlands has contributed additional F-16 aircraft for this purpose, and training is scheduled to begin in 2024.
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-engine, supersonic multirole aircraft initially developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force. It entered production in 1976 and has been used by 25 air forces worldwide. The aircraft incorporates a frameless canopy for visibility, fly-by-wire controls for agility, and a reclined seat to mitigate g-forces. Designed for multirole capabilities, the F-16 can carry various air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons across 11 hardpoints. Its radar systems, such as the AN/APG-68, support multiple combat and reconnaissance functions. Powered by a turbofan engine, the aircraft can achieve speeds exceeding Mach 2. Over 4,600 F-16s have been produced, with updates ensuring continued operational capabilities in diverse roles.
{loadposition bannertop}
{loadposition sidebarpub}
On December 13, 2024, the Romanian Ministry of Defence announced that three F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft purchased by Romania from Norway landed at the 71st “General Emanoil Ionescu” Air Base in Câmpia Turzii. This delivery contributes to equipping the 48th Fighter Squadron as part of Romania’s ongoing efforts to replace its fleet of MiG-21 LanceR fighters. With these aircraft, the 48th Fighter Squadron now operates 15 F-16s obtained from Norway.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The transition to the F-16 Fighting Falcon represents a significant advancement for the Romanian Air Force, as the F-16 features more advanced avionics, greater payload capacity, and improved maneuverability compared to the MiG-21 LanceR. (Picture source: Romanian MoD)
These F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters are part of a contract signed with Norway on November 4, 2022, through which Romania is acquiring 32 F-16 aircraft for €388 million. This agreement includes initial logistical support and a package of complementary goods and services. The aircraft, expected to remain operational for at least a decade, will serve as a transition to fifth-generation fighters, including the F-35. Before delivery, the Norwegian aircraft undergo servicing to ensure compliance with operational standards.
Norway retired its F-16 fleet in January 2022, replacing them with F-35 fighters. Norway sold 32 of these aircraft to Romania while donating others to Ukraine. The delivery of the F-16s to Romania is viewed as a capability transfer between NATO allies. The first squadron equipped with Norwegian F-16s is stationed at Câmpia Turzii, with a second squadron planned at Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base. The F-16 will support NATO’s Permanent Combat Service – Air Police operations and defend Romanian and NATO airspace during peacetime and crisis situations, replacing the Soviet-era Mikoyan MiG-21 LanceR.
The MiG-21 LanceR, a Romanian upgrade of the Soviet-era MiG-21 fighter, was introduced in the late 1990s to extend the aircraft’s operational life and improve its capabilities. Developed in collaboration with Israel’s Elbit Systems, the program produced three variants: LanceR A for ground attack, LanceR B for training, and LanceR C for air superiority. Upgrades included modern avionics, compatibility with both Eastern and Western weapons such as the R-60M, R-73, Magic 2, and Python III missiles, and improved radar systems. Despite these enhancements, the MiG-21 LanceR had limitations in range, payload capacity, and maintenance, leading to its retirement from the Romanian Air Force in May 2023.
The acquisition of the F-16 Fighting Falcon represents a notable shift in Romania’s air capabilities. The F-16 features more advanced avionics, greater payload capacity, and improved maneuverability compared to the MiG-21 LanceR. It is equipped with modern radar systems and a wide range of weaponry, including AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, as well as precision-guided munitions. The multirole capabilities of the F-16 enable it to perform both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. Romania’s purchase of 32 F-16s from Norway, along with its existing fleet from Portugal, will form three squadrons, aligning the country’s air force with NATO standards and improving operational readiness.
Romania’s F-16 procurement program began in 2013 under the Peace Carpathian program with the acquisition of 12 F-16 aircraft from Portugal for $252.6 million. This program included former Portuguese and United States Air Force aircraft supplied to Portugal for resale. Five additional F-16s were purchased from Portugal in 2019 and delivered by 2021. In March 2019, Romania initiated procedures to acquire 36 more F-16s. The current Norwegian contract marks the next phase in modernizing the air force and gradually increasing the fleet to 51 F-16s by 2025.
Romania has also established the European F-16 Training Centre (EFTC) at the 86th Air Base in collaboration with Lockheed Martin, Romania, and the Netherlands. This facility trains Romanian pilots and is expected to expand to other NATO operators, including Ukraine. The Netherlands has contributed additional F-16 aircraft for this purpose, and training is scheduled to begin in 2024.
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-engine, supersonic multirole aircraft initially developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force. It entered production in 1976 and has been used by 25 air forces worldwide. The aircraft incorporates a frameless canopy for visibility, fly-by-wire controls for agility, and a reclined seat to mitigate g-forces. Designed for multirole capabilities, the F-16 can carry various air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons across 11 hardpoints. Its radar systems, such as the AN/APG-68, support multiple combat and reconnaissance functions. Powered by a turbofan engine, the aircraft can achieve speeds exceeding Mach 2. Over 4,600 F-16s have been produced, with updates ensuring continued operational capabilities in diverse roles.
