Romania buys Lockheed Martin F-16 from Portugal

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World Air Force News - F-16 - Romania
 
 
Romania buys Lockheed Martin F-16 from Portugal.
 
The Portuguese Ministry of Defence said that Romania decided to buy 12 Lockheed Martin F-16 from Portugal. With this transaction Portugal will win 78 million euros. The first aircraft is to join the Romanian Air Force in 2016.
     
The Portuguese Ministry of Defence said that Romania decided to buy 12 Lockheed Martin F-16 from Portugal. With this transaction Portugal will win 78 million euros. The first aircraft is to join the Romanian Air Force in 2016.
F-16 from the Portuguese Air Force (photo credit: PoAF)
     

The F-16 will be updated by Portugal to MLU standard (equivalent of a F-16C/D Block 50) for 108 million euros (paid by Portugal). Romania will pay 186 million euros for the whole package. Three F-16 from the package will be purchased from the United-States.

Romania was trying to buy fighter since 2007 to replace 48 MiG-21. Other contenders were Eurofighter Typhoon and Saab Gripen. Lockheed Martin was trying to sell F-16 fighters on its own.

It is understood that Romania will have to spend additional funds to build the necessary ground infra-structure and acquire spares, weaponry and airborne sensors.