Breaking News: Romania Confirms Intent to Purchase 32 US F-35 Lightning II Fighter Jets.

On November 21, 2024, Romania has officially confirmed its intent to procure 32 state-of-the-art F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft from Lockheed Martin under a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) facilitated by the United States government. The signing of the Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) marks a transformative milestone in Romania’s defense strategy, underscoring its commitment to bolstering national security and NATO's collective defense capabilities.
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The world's most advanced 5th Generation fighter jet American F-35 Lightning II, will soon bolster Romania's air power and national security. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

Lt. Gen Mike Schmidt, director of the F-35 Joint Program Office, emphasized the strategic importance of Romania joining the F-35 enterprise. “Integrating the F-35 Lightning II aircraft into the Romanian Air Force will significantly strengthen NATO's deterrence capabilities by providing unmatched strategic, operational, and tactical advantages. The F-35 Joint Program Office is dedicated to ensuring a successful transition for Romania’s pilots and maintainers,” Schmidt stated. The acquisition places Romania alongside an elite group of 20 global operators of the F-35, further enhancing NATO’s interoperable and advanced air power. The aircraft’s stealth capabilities, data fusion, and advanced sensor suite provide Romania with the tools necessary to deter threats and respond to evolving challenges in the region.

For nearly three decades, Lockheed Martin has been a trusted defense partner to Romania, and this acquisition deepens that collaboration. Bridget Lauderdale, vice president and general manager of the F-35 Lightning II Program, highlighted the deal's significance. “The acquisition of the F-35 further fortifies Romania's national security and deterrent capability. By joining the F-35 program, Romania is making a generational investment in its defense infrastructure.” Romania’s move comes as the F-35 continues to redefine modern warfare across Europe. Mara Motherway, vice president of Strategy and Business Development at Lockheed Martin, remarked, “The F-35's growing presence across Europe demonstrates alliance-based deterrence and is setting the foundation for NATO and allied nations' next-generation air power capability.”

The Romanian Air Force plans to integrate the F-35 seamlessly with its existing fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcons, creating a complementary force capable of addressing a wide range of missions. This synergy will be further supported by the European F-16 Training Center (EFTC), which was established in Romania last year in partnership with the Netherlands. The EFTC accelerates pilot training and enhances readiness, ensuring smooth operational transitions for Romanian pilots and ground crews.

The F-35 Lightning II is widely recognized as the world's most advanced and connected 5th-generation fighter aircraft. Its design emphasizes stealth, situational awareness, and multi-domain interoperability, making it a force multiplier for operators. With advanced stealth features, it can evade sophisticated air defense systems, penetrate contested airspace, and deliver precision strikes with minimal detection risk. Its sensor fusion capabilities integrate data from various sources, giving pilots a comprehensive operational picture. The aircraft’s electronic warfare systems enable it to suppress enemy defenses, protect allied forces, and ensure mission success in highly contested environments.

The F-35’s versatility is evident in its ability to perform a wide array of missions, including air superiority, close air support, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), and electronic warfare. Its adaptability is further enhanced by advanced weapons integration and a global sustainment network that ensures efficient operations. To date, more than 1,000 F-35s are operational worldwide, delivering over 940,000 flight hours and operating from 33 bases across 10 countries.

Currently, the F-35 is used by 20 nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Israel, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and now Romania, among others. The aircraft has become a cornerstone of NATO and allied defense, playing a critical role in maintaining air dominance, deterring adversaries, and safeguarding democratic values. Its deployment strengthens interoperability among allies, ensuring that NATO can respond collectively to evolving threats.

Romania’s procurement of the F-35 represents a bold step forward in its defense modernization. As tensions continue to rise in Eastern Europe, the move sends a clear signal of Romania's commitment to NATO's collective security and its role in maintaining regional stability. The introduction of the F-35 into the Romanian Air Force not only reinforces national air defense but also strengthens interoperability with allied forces. This move is expected to have significant implications for the strategic balance in the Black Sea region, ensuring that Romania is well-equipped to address 21st-century threats.