Defense News: DTN News - ROMANIA DEFENSE NEWS: Romania Finally Settles On Portuguese F-16s
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources David Donald
(NSI News Source Info) HONG KONG - October 19, 2013: Late last week, Romanian defense minister Mircea Dusa signed the contract for a €600 million ($817 million) deal to acquire 12 Lockheed Martin F-16AM/BM fighters from Portugal. An initial installment was paid at the same time. The acquisition of F-16s will finally allow Romania to operate NATO-compatible aircraft, and also brings to an end a long-running saga to provide a replacement for the dwindling LanceR fleet of upgraded MiG-21s.
Included in the deal are nine current Portuguese air force aircraft and three that Portugal is acquiring through the U.S. excess defense article program. This trio will be put through a mid-life update (MLU) program at Portugal’s OGMA maintenance, repair and overhaul company to bring them up to F-16AM/BM standards before delivery to Romania. The deal, which covers nine F-16AM single-seaters and three F-16BM two-seaters, also includes the training of an initial batch of nine pilots and 69 technicians, to be undertaken partly in the U.S.
The first aircraft is scheduled for delivery in 2015/16, with all 12 to be handed over by 2017 to equip a single squadron. Romania has stated its intention to buy another batch of F-16s from Portugal to equip a second unit.
Romania began its search for a new fighter in the early 2000s, with the aim of replacing the LanceRs in 2010/11 with 48 new aircraft. The F-16, Eurofighter Typhoon and Saab Gripen were seen as the main contenders, but a lack of funds continually delayed any decision. In 2005 Romania announced that it was to buy used F-16s from the Israeli air force, with overhaul and support provided by Elbit. Belgian F-16s were considered in 2006, and in 2008 Romania submitted a request for 24 new Block 50/52 aircraft and discussed an alternative plan to buy second-hand U.S. aircraft. In March this year Romania approved the purchase of 24 ex-U.S. Air Force F-16C/D Block 25s, but subsequently the country struck a final, cheaper deal with Portugal.
In Romanian service the F-16s will replace the 30 to 40 remaining LanceRs. This program involved a major upgrade to the Mikoyan MiG-21M, MF and UM, and was undertaken by Aerostar in conjunction with Elbit. Avionics were completely overhauled and Python 3 missile capability was added. From 1996 the Romanian air force received 71 LanceR A ground attackers with Elta EL/M-2001B radar, 14 LanceR B two-seat conversion trainers and 26 LanceR C air defense fighters with EL/M-2032 radar.
Portugal acquired a total of 45 F-16A/B Block 15s. The first batch, delivered from 1994, comprised 20 Block 15OCU aircraft acquired new under the Peace Atlantis I program to equip Esquadra 201 at Monte Real. In 1999 Portugal received 25 ex-U.S. Air Force Block 15s to establish a second squadron, Esquadra 301. Only 20 of these aircraft were placed in service, and soon after delivery they were put through the MLU program with new avionics, F100-PW-220E engines and Falcon UP structural upgrade. The remaining five ex-U.S. aircraft were used as a source of spares.
*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources David Donald
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources David Donald 
Included in the deal are nine current Portuguese air force aircraft and three that Portugal is acquiring through the U.S. excess defense article program. This trio will be put through a mid-life update (MLU) program at Portugal’s OGMA maintenance, repair and overhaul company to bring them up to F-16AM/BM standards before delivery to Romania. The deal, which covers nine F-16AM single-seaters and three F-16BM two-seaters, also includes the training of an initial batch of nine pilots and 69 technicians, to be undertaken partly in the U.S.
The first aircraft is scheduled for delivery in 2015/16, with all 12 to be handed over by 2017 to equip a single squadron. Romania has stated its intention to buy another batch of F-16s from Portugal to equip a second unit.
Romania began its search for a new fighter in the early 2000s, with the aim of replacing the LanceRs in 2010/11 with 48 new aircraft. The F-16, Eurofighter Typhoon and Saab Gripen were seen as the main contenders, but a lack of funds continually delayed any decision. In 2005 Romania announced that it was to buy used F-16s from the Israeli air force, with overhaul and support provided by Elbit. Belgian F-16s were considered in 2006, and in 2008 Romania submitted a request for 24 new Block 50/52 aircraft and discussed an alternative plan to buy second-hand U.S. aircraft. In March this year Romania approved the purchase of 24 ex-U.S. Air Force F-16C/D Block 25s, but subsequently the country struck a final, cheaper deal with Portugal.
In Romanian service the F-16s will replace the 30 to 40 remaining LanceRs. This program involved a major upgrade to the Mikoyan MiG-21M, MF and UM, and was undertaken by Aerostar in conjunction with Elbit. Avionics were completely overhauled and Python 3 missile capability was added. From 1996 the Romanian air force received 71 LanceR A ground attackers with Elta EL/M-2001B radar, 14 LanceR B two-seat conversion trainers and 26 LanceR C air defense fighters with EL/M-2032 radar.
Portugal acquired a total of 45 F-16A/B Block 15s. The first batch, delivered from 1994, comprised 20 Block 15OCU aircraft acquired new under the Peace Atlantis I program to equip Esquadra 201 at Monte Real. In 1999 Portugal received 25 ex-U.S. Air Force Block 15s to establish a second squadron, Esquadra 301. Only 20 of these aircraft were placed in service, and soon after delivery they were put through the MLU program with new avionics, F100-PW-220E engines and Falcon UP structural upgrade. The remaining five ex-U.S. aircraft were used as a source of spares.
*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources David Donald
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
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