Romania buys Lockheed Martin F-16 from Portugal.

The F-16 will be updated by Portugal to MLU standard (equivalent of a F-16C/D Block 50) for 108 million euros (paid by Portugal). Romania will pay 186 million euros for the whole package. Three F-16 from the package will be purchased from the United-States.

Romania was trying to buy fighter since 2007 to replace 48 MiG-21. Other contenders were Eurofighter Typhoon and Saab Gripen. Lockheed Martin was trying to sell F-16 fighters on its own.

It is understood that Romania will have to spend additional funds to build the necessary ground infra-structure and acquire spares, weaponry and airborne sensors.