The Romanian Air Force has received a new batch of F-16 fighter jets from Norway, as announced this week by Romania’s Ministry of National Defense. The two newly delivered aircraft will be integrated into the 571st Fighter Squadron, boosting the country’s operational capability on NATO’s eastern flank.
With this delivery, Romania has now received 18 out of the 32 jets purchased from the Royal Norwegian Air Force under a contract signed in November 2022, valued at 388 million euros. The aircraft were delivered in full operational condition and, according to the Ministry of Defense, have an estimated service life of at least 10 years — a strategic period for Romania’s transition to fifth-generation fighters.
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Of the 18 units already received, 16 were allocated to the 48th Fighter Squadron, while the remaining two joined the 571st Squadron, which began activation in 2025. All 32 aircraft are expected to be delivered by the end of 2025.
Progressive Modernization of the Air Force
Romania’s fighter aviation modernization program began in 2013, with the signing of a contract to purchase 12 F-16 jets from the Portuguese Air Force, replacing the old MiG-21s. These aircraft were delivered between September 2016 and September 2017.
Later, in December 2019, the country acquired five additional F-16s under a 130 million euro agreement. These units were delivered between August 2020 and March 2021.
Norwegian Delivery and Expansion
The official handover ceremony for the first Norwegian F-16 to Romania took place on November 28, 2023, in Norway. Two days later, on November 30, the first batch of three jets arrived at a Romanian air base.
In December 2024, the 71st Air Base completed the staffing and formation of the 48th Fighter Squadron with F-16s, marking a new stage in the renewal of Romania’s air fleet. In 2025, the focus shifted to strengthening the 571st Squadron.
With these acquisitions, Romania is reinforcing its defensive posture and air response capabilities, aligning with NATO’s operational requirements and preparing for future generations of air superiority fighters.
Source: Militarnyi. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
