November 4 (SeeNews) - The U.S. State Department has cleared the possible sale of modernization, logistics support and related equipment for Romania's F-16 fighter jets for an estimated cost of $175.4 million (150 million euro), the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said on Wednesday.
"The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today," the Pentagon's agency said in a press release on Tuesday.
Romania's government has requested to buy upgrades to the avionics, software, communication equipment, navigational aids, and cockpit of its Mid-Life Update (MLU) Block 15 F-16 aircraft fleet along with additional logistics support, DSCA said.
This proposed sale will enhance U.S. national security objectives in the region and will improve Romania’s capability to meet current and future threats by upgrading its avionics to meet interoperability requirements for encrypted communications systems used by NATO forces, DSCA said.
According to DSCA, Romania has demonstrated a significant financial commitment to modernizing its military, which will further enhance its interoperability with NATO.
The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company.
Romania on Friday received two more F-16 aircraft from Portugal, adding to the other two received earlier this year. The last aircraft of total five purchased at the end of 2019 for 333.2 million euro is to arrive in the first quarter of 2021.
Romania currently has a fleet of sixteen F-16 combat aircraft.
On August 10, Romania's defence ministry announced that aircraft construction and repair company Aerostar has been designated as provider of maintenance services for the country's F-16s. In 2017, the F-16 manufacturer Lockheed Martin and Bacau-based Aerostar signed a technology transfer agreement regarding the maintenance and repair of the jets.
($=0.8555 euro)