Romanian High Council For National Defense OKs Purchase Of 24 Used F16 Jet Fighters

„Since Romania does not have the financial resources to purchase new multirole aircraft, the CSAT has approved the Defense Ministry’s proposal to buy 24 used F16 fighters, a request which will be sent to the Parliament for debates and a decision,” said a Presidential Administration press release.

According to the press release, Defense Minister Gabriel Oprea said the MiG-21 Lancer aircraft currently used by the Romanian Air Force will be taken out of service in the next years.

Oprea also presented a plan regarding the command and control of the Romanian Armed Forces, which was approved by the Council. The plan allows for a more efficient flow of information and decisions, the press release said.

According to the document, minister Oprea briefed the Council on the state of the Defense Ministry’s equipment and ammunition stocks. He referred to the ammunition requirement for future years, as well as the need to make up for delays as regards disposing of old ammo.

„The defense minister presented the plan on the training and operational preparation of the Romanian troops to be deployed to Afghanistan in 2010, funds for which will be allotted from the reserve fund at the Government’s disposal,” the press release said.