New F-35 and F-16 fighter jets, Patriot air defense systems and numerous other planned investments – Romania has been pursuing a consistent course of armament for years.
Largest NATO base in Europe
The plans also include the new NATO-base at the Mihail Kogălniceanu airbase near the port city of Constanța (-> NATO establishes new military base in Romania). A small military town is currently being built there for NATO – a mammoth project from which the Western defense alliance has high hopes. Once completed, the base will be the largest in Europe in terms of area – twice the size of the air base in Ramstein, Germany. The former Eastern bloc country is thus developing into a central pillar of NATO on its eastern flank.
The centerpiece is the construction of another runway parallel to the existing one. There will also be a new tower, taxiways, maintenance hangars, fuel storage, ammunition bunkers, simulators, trade fairs, casinos and accommodation. Incidentally, the decision to expand the old air force base was made before the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (-> current news from the Ukraine war): NATO submitted the plans back in July 2015 in light of Russia’s annexation of Crimea in violation of international law and the conflict in eastern Ukraine. In 2019, they were approved by the Romanian government and around 2.5 billion euros were budgeted for them. However, completion is likely to take several more years.
F-16 squadrons for transition to the 5th generation
Following the purchase of 17 F-16 MLU Block 15 (13 AM and four BM, M6XR standard) from Portuguese stocks for a good 900 million euros and manufacturer support of around 170 million euros between 2013 and 2021, the first three of 32 additional F-16s landed in Romania in November 2023. These are from Norway, which has switched to F-35s (-> Europe’s air forces are massively upgrading).
The F-16s, which were purchased in November 2022, will be maintained at Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services in Kjeller before they are transferred. This will create a second and third squadron, and all jets are to be handed over this year. The aircraft are intended to ensure operational capability during a transition period of at least ten years to the fifth-generation aircraft.
In 2023, four Romanian F-16s took over the active component of the “Enhanced Air Policing” mission in the Baltic States for the first time, demonstrating Romania’s strengthened role in NATO.
New F-35: Largest defense investment in history
Like many other European countries, Romania has also opted for F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin fighter jets. Following approval by the US State Department and confirmation by the Romanian government, a total of 32 F-35A a total of 32 F-35A Lightning IIs are to enter service from 2031.
In addition to the jets, the 6.3 billion euro package also includes logistical support, training for pilots and technicians in the USA, flight simulators and air-to-air and air-to-ground ammunition. It is the country’s largest defense investment to date, financed from the national budget as well as loans and loan guarantees from the US government.
Romania relies on Patriot air defense systems
Romania procured seven batteries of the MIM-104 Patriot air defense missile system back in 2017, four of which have since been delivered. However, in accordance with a decision by the Supreme Defense Council (CSAT) and President Klaus Iohannis, the country has given its only operational battery to Ukraine.
The move was made in close consultation with NATO allies and was justified by the fact that Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector could also affect Romania’s security. At the same time, Romania made it a condition that a temporary solution be found for the resulting weak point. The replacement procurement worth around 120 million euros is now being financed by Norway.
Romania is also participating in the joint procurement of up to 1,000 Patriot PAC-2 GEM-T missiles as part of the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI). The contract, worth up to 5.5 billion euros, was awarded earlier this year to COMLOG – a joint venture between Raytheon and MBDA Germany founded in 1987. Romania is expected to purchase 200 PAC-2 GEM-T missiles for its Patriot systems.
Other major projects and plans
In addition to F-16s, F35s and Patriot air defense systems, Bucharest is also investing in other areas of its professional army of around 67,000 men and women. For example, the country recently took the decision to procure the ReDrone counter-UAS solution from Elbit Systems (costing around 60 million euros) and from the Turkish manufacturer Otokar A total of 1,069 Cobra II 4×4 armored vehicles are to be purchased for 865 million euros. Around 75 percent of these vehicles – 781 to be precise – are to be assembled in Romania.
Romania has also taken over the two mine countermeasures the two mine countermeasure vessels (MCMV) “HMS Blyth” and “HMS Pembroke” from the British Armyfrom Quantum Systems were Vector drones worth almost 20 million euros were procured from Quantum Systems and Polaris Government and Defense is supplying more than 50 units of its ultra-light tactical vehicle Dagor. In the field of air defense, the country has also commissioned Rheinmetall with the comprehensive modernization of its Oerlikon GDF 103 anti-aircraft artillery systems.
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Defense budget raised to 2.5 percent of GDP
In view of the war in neighboring Ukraine, there have already been several dangerous incidents involving drones and missiles in Romania, always in connection with Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports on the Danube. These are located just a few hundred meters from the Romanian border. On several occasions, the army subsequently found debris from Russian Geran and Shahed drones and other missiles on Romanian soil. As one of the reactions to the deteriorating security situation following the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, the country’s defense budget was increased to 2.5 percent of GDP from 2024.
The country also fulfills its responsibilities internationally: More than 600 Romanian soldiers are currently taking part in international NATO, EU and UN missions in Iraq, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina and other countries. In addition, Romania took over command of the EUFOR ALTHEA mission for the first time in January. Bucharest interprets this assumption of command as confirmation of the relevance of its leadership in the military and defense sector.
Here for more news about the Romanian armed forces.
