US clears sale of equipment to modernize 32 Romanian Air Force F-16 Mid-Life Update Block 10/15 fighters.

On June 30, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced that the State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Romania of equipment and services to modernize thirty-two (32) F-16 Mid-Life Update Block 10/15 aircraft to be procured through third-party transfer from Norway. The equipment includes KY-58M and KIV-78 cryptographic devices for an estimated cost of $105 million.

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A Romanian F-16AM Fighting Falcon lands at Borcea Air Base, Romania, Oct. 20, 2021, during operation Castle Forge. Castle Forge simulates deployment and dispersal tactics for U.S. Air Force units while training alongside Greek, Bulgarian and Romanian Air Force counterparts (Picture source: U.S. Air Force/Capt. Andrew Layton)

The Government of Romania has requested to buy equipment and services to modernize thirty-two (32) F-16 Mid-Life Update Block 10/15 aircraft to be procured through third-party transfer from Norway. The equipment includes KY-58M and KIV-78 cryptographic devices; AN/PYQ-10C Simple Key Loaders; Joint Mission Planning Systems; Night Vision Device (NVD) aviator vision systems and spare Image Intensifier Tubes; Electronic Warfare database support; Classified/Unclassified Computer Program Identification Number Systems (CPIN) and CPIN Electronic Combat International Security Assistance Program (ECISAP) equipment and support; flight test services; integration and test support and equipment; aircraft support equipment; secure communications equipment, precision navigation, and cryptographic devices; Classified/ Unclassified software delivery and support; spare parts, consumables and accessories, and repair and return support; maintenance and maintenance support; studies/surveys; Classified/Unclassified publications and technical documentation; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $105 million.

The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin, Fort Worth, TX. Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Romania.

In 2013, Romania signed a contract with Portugal for 12 F-16 A/B Block 15 MLU fighters. Under the Peace Carpathian program, the first six fighters entered service with the Romanian Air Force in September 2016, another three have been delivered in November and the last three have entered service in 2017. Romania signed a contract in 2019 with Portugal for another 5 F-16 A/B Block 15 MLU fighters, which were delivered until March 2021.

Another contract, announced in December 2021, for an additional 32 F-16s was signed with Norway for €388 million. The first delivery of Norwegian F-16s is set for 2023, while a second delivery is set for 2024. Under the contract, the F-16s will undergo the modification to the M6.5.2 Romanian configuration with US support before delivery. Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services will provide support, maintenance and training of Romanian technical personnel.

The old MiG-21 LanceRs, modernized in cooperation with Israel between 1993 and 2002, were retired on 15 May 2023.