Romania to buy 24 used F16s

[corran.pl]

And if they wanted to go cheap they could have bought upgraded MiG-29s for example.

That is simly not true. MiG-29 is expensive to fly, more expensive then F-16. Poland heas both of them flying. And remember that Romania has stoped to use Migs-29 long time ago, and now those planes standing under open sky on Constanta Airfield for many years. This was stiupid.

Buying used F-16 is not the best decision. If lobbying, politics and everything leeds Romania to go with F-16 then they should buy new planes. New planes are more capable and in longer time frame would be cheaper.

If Romania would have money for 24 new Eurofighters you could buy like twice the number of advanced F-16 or Gripens.

[MyNameIsEarl]

This is a very bad idea! Romania will never afford F35 so stop talking about a deal in that direction.
They refused to privatize the heli factory when Bell was interested in producing the Cobra there, even after finding a client - the Turkish Army. Now the factory is mostly un-used. And Romania soon will have to get some attack helos...
They refused to privatize Avioane Craiva when Saab was interested in assembling/maintaining the Gripen there.
They refused the Gripen offered with 100% offset, therefore refusing jobs for highly trained Romanians in Romania.
They are basically refusing the Romanian pilots the chance for training as the F16 will be much more expensive to operate than the Gripen.
Not to mention the two ex-royal Navy frigates that are just shells empty of any relevant equipment. Equipment already payed for but never materialized!
Or the unfinished motorways already payed for several times.
The decision sort of falls in place doesn't it?
Those muppets who made the decision should be charged with treason!

[a.godumov]

That is simly not true. MiG-29 is expensive to fly, more expensive then F-16

I was referring to the price of acquisition. And i know that they have stopped flying the 29s. I am just thinking from Bulgarian perspective because one day we`ll have to make that choice too. And among Bulgarian avio enthusiasts F-16 is like a nightmare

[blilov]

It's only logical to be a nightmare, because it doesn't bring anything new to the table, while costing a lot. If you have the same money for MiG-29 modernization the result will be much better. Hell, you can buy 24 brand new MiG-29s for 800 million dollars.

[signatory]

"It said the plan would be subject to parliament's approval."


Just a formality ?

I don't think as a package it's "cheaper" than Gripen btw but a combination of wanting to side with the US + being less of a commitment for now. Sweden did offer a try before you buy proposal with delayed payments so Romania could get over the financial crisis and then start to pay off the loan. Much lower operating costs which is good for the annual budget allocations. So I don't think it's too much of a money issue rather a choice on what direction they would like to take.

[Dankster]

If this were just a stopgap to replace the MiGs before funds for a newer fighter were availible I would say this is a pretty good deal, but using an already ageing platform as a permanent replacement is really cheap. It seems like many eastern european nations have stopped caring about maintaing a real air force completely.

[MyNameIsEarl]

If this were just a stopgap to replace the MiGs before funds for a newer fighter were availible I would say this is a pretty good deal, but using an already ageing platform as a permanent replacement is really cheap. It seems like many eastern european nations have stopped caring about maintaing a real air force completely.

24 old crates which I bet will never be in proper state or have proper weapons is not an air force. Stop gap to what? More second hand rubbish?

[brad]

Cant upgraded romanian Lancers fly few more years? Nevertheless they werent upgraded so long time ago.

[Beast of war]

F-16 will be a big step up compared to Mig-21! And Mig-29 is to expensive in maintenance! ,compared to the F-16! I presume!?

[v-twin]

The Lancers have to be replace within the next two years because they will simply run out of life. Yes, the approval is just a formality because the president's party holds a majority and whatever he says goes with his party. Thus we are stuck with this awful decision. The Saabs would've been the best compromise between the two in terms of money, offset and airplanes. It's unfortunate that a POG(the MoD is a POG who got promoted based on sucking up to various political regimes) and an ex-sailor with an unhealthy appetite for DUI-ing call the shots for the Romanian military.

There's been an interesting shift in Romanian perception over time though; in the 90s we were all gun-ho for the Americans (many old people especially were 'waiting' for the Americans to come after WW2 and push commies away) whereas now everybody is far more Euro-centric. There was some backlash when the US Army build its base at Mihail Kogalniceanu, people fussed when the announcement for the SMD treaty was made and now there's contempt for this deal. Not because Romanians have something against the US (people still line up in droves and put themselves through the humiliation that is getting a US visitor visa) but due to our politicians' servile attitude. Especially from this president who is so keen to be noticed by Obama he's willing to sign deals like this just to get invited to the White House.

[easyand]

damn, I was hoping for 24 ex-italian Typhoons (block 5)

[Kongjun33]

Another political decision from an Eastern European country with an american "view" about the European Union.

Europeans still can dream about building their Europe of Defense. What a good example showing us that they're far away of it!

[kalerab]

It seems like many eastern european nations have stopped caring about maintaing a real air force completely.

The sad thing is that you don´t even know how much right you are.

[cmc]

Well... it seems the total cost to Romania will be 1bn. That will include not only the refurbished planes, but also training, weaponry and infrastructure(?)...

Gotta say... I have mixed feelings...

[khaz]

Wow someone gives you free planes to replace a bunch of crates and all you do is bitch about sucking up to the US. Man i hope you never get them, and have to fly your lancers forever.