BSDA 2024: F-35 Lightning II Showcases in Romanian Colors for Potential Acquisition.

At the Black Sea Defense and Aerospace 2024 exhibition, an F-35 Lightning II in Romanian colors is on display. The Romanian Ministry of Defense had officially sought parliamentary approval to procure 32 F-35 fighter jets at a total cost of $6.5 billion towards the end of 2023.
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The F-35 Lightning II is engineered for a range of military operations including air-to-air, air-to-surface, and electronic warfare (Picture source: ArmyRecognition)

This ambitious project received the green light in April from the Supreme Council of Defense of the Country (CSAT), opting to secure these stealth multi-role combat aircraft through a government-to-government agreement with the United States. The acquisition plan is structured in two phases: initially, two squadrons totaling 32 jets for the Romanian Air Force, followed by a subsequent purchase of 16 jets for the Army.

The first phase encompasses not just the aircraft but also engines, logistical support, pilot and personnel training, and flight simulators, inclusive of specialized air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions. According to General Daniel Petrescu, Chief of the General Staff of the Romanian Defense Forces, this initiative aims to gradually replace the F-16s, which are expected to be phased out by the 2030s.

Currently, the Romanian Air Force operates 17 F-16s acquired from Portugal and anticipates the delivery of an additional 32 F-16s from Norway by year-end, facilitating the transition to the F-35s. The Norwegian F-16s are anticipated to serve for up to 10 years, while the Portuguese F-16s are mid-life, thus offering a longer operational span. 

The F-35s are manufactured by Lockheed Martin, with significant contributions from partners such as Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. Primarily utilized by the US Air Force and various international allies, the F-35 Lightning II is engineered for a range of military operations including air-to-air, air-to-surface, and electronic warfare. It employs advanced stealth technology to decrease its radar cross-section, thereby enhancing survivability in hostile environments.

Integrated with systems like the Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) and Distributed Aperture System (DAS), the aircraft excels in reconnaissance and situational awareness, which are critical for missile defense and air combat. These features allow the F-35 to identify and engage targets from considerable distances.

Powered by the Pratt & Whitney F135 engine, delivering 43,000 pounds of thrust, the F-35 reaches top speeds of about Mach 1.6, roughly 1,975 km/h. It supports various armaments including AIM-120C air-to-air missiles and GBU-32 JDAM guided bombs, with a standard armament capacity of over 18,000 pounds, which can be increased to 22,000 pounds in a "beast mode" configuration.