Apart from the news of Ukraine's request for the supply of F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets, there is other news regarding the debut of the F-16 in Europe, namely the completion of the Romanian contract to buy the Norwegian F-16 fleet. Romania's wish to buy used Norwegian F-16s had been proposed since 2021, or one year before the outbreak of the Russo-Ukrainian war.
As quoted by thedefensepost.com (9/6/2023), the Norwegian government said last Thursday that it had completed a contract for the sale of 32 F-16 fighter jets to a fellow NATO member, Romania. The sale of F-16s from Norway to Romania can proceed after receiving a 'green light' from the United States authorities as a fighter jet manufacturer.
Romania signed a contract with Norway in November for a fleet of used F-16s for 388 million euros (about US$418 million). "The sale will strengthen and modernize the defense of the NATO countries bordering Ukraine," said Norwegian Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram.
Before the F-16s will be put into operation by the Romanian Air Force, the former Norwegian F-16s will receive a repair package before being sent to Bucharest. With 32 units and 17 F-16s purchased second-hand from Portugal, Romania is rapidly modernizing its air force, replacing obsolete Soviet-era MiG-21 fighters.
Meanwhile, Norway is increasing its air force by purchasing 52 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets. Norway is ending its F-16 from active service in 2022.
Of the 57 F-16s deemed fit for sale, 12 have been sold to private US group Draken International but have yet to be delivered.
In theory, the Scandinavian country still has a few jets that could be delivered to Ukraine if it decides to join a coalition of Western countries that have announced their willingness to provide F-16s to Ukraine.
The Norwegian government has said it is considering ways to help train Ukrainian personnel to use the F-16s, but has not yet decided whether to supply Ukraine with F-16s.
