Romania receives three more F-16 deliveries and recommits to European training
The 48th Fighter Squadron operates a total of F-16 aircraft purchased by Romania from Norway. (Photo: Romanian MoD)
Romania has welcomed three more F-16 jets from Norway, rounding the total number up to 15.
Romania has taken delivery of three more F-16 Fighting Falcon jets, its Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced, boosting the total number of fighters received to fifteen.
The aircraft arrived on 13 December and will join the country’s 48th Fighter Squadron to boost its air defence capabilities. The remaining 17 fighter aircraft are set to be delivered by 2025.
The F-16s will strengthen Romania’s security by defending the national and NATO’s airspace in peacetime and crisis situations through the execution of the NATO-led permanent Air Policing Combat Service, the Romanian MoD said.
Related Articles
Romania receives three more F-16 fighters from Norway
Romania requested 32 second-hand jets from Norway in 2021 and completed the order in June 2023 for €388 million (US$418 million). The fighters will replace its ageing Soviet MiG-21 aircraft.
Romania also recently reaffirmed its commitment to the European F-16 Training Centre (EFTC), established by Romania and the Netherlands and supported by Lockheed Martin.
On 12 December, the country signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with the Netherlands to commit to strengthening and enhancing collaboration within the EFTC, one year after the centre became operational.
While the centre is primarily intended for the training of Romanian pilots, four Ukrainian pilots are currently being trained within the EFTC, the Romanian MoD has confirmed. It currently uses eighteen F-16 aircraft provided by the Netherlands.
Romanian Minister of National Defense Angel Tîlvăr said: “The results are clear: both the Romanian and Ukrainian pilots benefit from an advanced training programme.
“We will continue to expand these activities, by directly contributing to the security of the national and allied airspace.”
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Locally produced loitering munition destined for UAE Navy, says MBDA]()
Eurosatory 2026: Locally produced loitering munition destined for UAE Navy, says MBDA
The contract signed between MBDA and Fly-R will see diamond-shaped loitering munitions developed and prepared in the UAE. How does this move fit into wider market trends in the region?
-
![Eurosatory 2026: MBDA and Thales look to civilian industry for loitering munition scale-up]()
Eurosatory 2026: MBDA and Thales look to civilian industry for loitering munition scale-up
Thales and MBDA have taken steps to ensure the mass production of their respective loitering munition offerings at Eurosatoy, teaming with civilian manufacturers. These moves come amid France’s push towards sovereign drone production and continued market expansion.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: How the deep-strike, loitering munition market skyrocketed to $13.8 billion in three years]()
Eurosatory 2026: How the deep-strike, loitering munition market skyrocketed to $13.8 billion in three years
Ukraine’s rapid development of long-range, deep-strike loitering munitions has helped turn the sector into a market worth an estimated US$13.2 billion. The reasons behind this were outlined during Eurosatory 2026, as other countries embark on the early stages of procuring this capability.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Why security agencies are expanding UAS operations across Europe]()
Eurosatory 2026: Why security agencies are expanding UAS operations across Europe
Uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) are an increasingly important tool for Europe’s law enforcement and public security agencies, with the past two years seeing rapid growth in operational deployment, procurement and regulatory acceptance.
-
![Fuselage of the first US Army MV-75 Cheyenne tiltrotor “is nearing completion”]()
Fuselage of the first US Army MV-75 Cheyenne tiltrotor “is nearing completion”
Bell is advancing construction of the US Army’s next-generation MV-75 Cheyenne tiltrotor as FLRAA programme approaches testing, production and future battlefield deployment.
