The United States government has recently authorized the potential sale of new AIM-120 missiles to equip the Romanian Air Force’s F-16 fighters. This acquisition would require a $592 million investment from the Romanian government and would be complemented by the purchase of AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II missiles, which was authorized in May. This was communicated by the State Department to the U.S. Congress yesterday, August 22.
The Romanian Air Force’s request includes 186 AIM-120 medium-range missiles, AIM-120 captive air training missiles (CATM), storage containers, KGV-135A cryptographic devices, and a variety of spare parts and supplementary materials for the missile’s use. Additionally, the requested package requires technical and logistical support from the contractor to carry out pilot and maintenance personnel training.
Regarding the sale, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) stated: “The proposed sale will enhance Romania’s ability to address current and future threats, better equipping it to conduct self-defense and regional security missions, while improving interoperability with the United States and other NATO members. Romania already has AMRAAM missiles in its inventory and will have no difficulty incorporating these items and services into its armed forces.”
The principal contractor involved in the potential deal is the U.S. company RTX Corporation, based in Arizona. According to the DSCA’s statement, this transaction will not require the negotiation of industrial offsets or the deployment of U.S. government or contractor representatives.
It is worth noting that Romania is in the process of incorporating F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters acquired from Norway in 2021 to replace its obsolete fleet of Soviet-era MiG-21 Lancer fighters. The fleet consists of 32 F-16A/B Block 10/15 fighters, which were purchased for €388 million and are being replaced by fifth-generation F-35A fighters in Norway. The first units ordered by Romania were delivered by the Nordic country in November 2023, consisting of the first three aircraft of the fleet; the remaining units are scheduled to be delivered between 2024 and 2025.
Images used for illustrative purposes
You may also like: The Ukrainian Air Force confirms the first loss of an F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet during combat operations
