Norwegian-Romanian F-16 contract now signed....

[Stratofreighter]

https://www.joint-forces.com/defence-eq ... or-romania

KONGSBERG UPGRADES F-16 FIGHTER JETS FOR ROMANIA
04 Nov 2022

KONGSBERG upgrades F-16 fighter jets for resale ~ NDMA signs agreement for the delivery of 32 Norwegian F-16 fighters to Romania.
~

Press Release, Kongsberg, 04 November 2022:

The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) has signed an agreement between Norway and Romania
for the delivery of 32 Norwegian F-16 fighter jets, announced today.


Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services (KAMS) has for the last two years been contracted to prepare the Norwegian F-16 jets for resale.

The contract covers overhaul, preparation and completion.

As Norway and Romania now have entered into an agreement,
it is expected to see an extension and an expansion of the existing contract between KONGSBERG and the Norwegian Defence Material Agency.

KONGSBERG will provide an update when such an agreement is in place with NDMA.

https://www.joint-forces.com/defence-eq ... or-romania

The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) has signed a contract with Romania for the sale of 32 Norwegian F-16 aircraft.

NDMA Press Release, Oslo:
Following the RFI answer received in 2020,
Romania has since 2021 expressed interest in acquiring the former Norwegian Air Force aircraft
as part of an effort to strengthen the capabilities of the Romanian Air Force.

The final agreement was signed 4. November 2022
following months of negotiations
and includes 32 aircraft along with spare parts and support equipment,
as well as maintenance and technical training services.

“The agreement signed by the NDMA will help strengthen the air power of one of our allies,
at the same time as it will generate revenues for both Norwegian industry and the Norwegian state,”
said Norwegian Minister of Defence, Bjørn Arild Gram.

“I am very pleased that we have been able to finalise this agreement,
which is Norway’s largest ever sale of government owned military equipment.

Norwegian F-16s have been among the best maintained of their kind,
with high technical standards throughout.

I congratulate the negotiation teams of both countries for their efforts.

Through this agreement, our F-16s will continue to serve one of our NATO-allies for several years to come,”
said Ms. Gro Jære, Director General of the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency.

Includes services by Norwegian industry:

Under the contract all aircraft will undergo necessary maintenance and aircraft modification to M6.5.2 Romanian configuration
with US support prior to delivery,
currently scheduled for 2023-24.

This work will be conducted by Norwegian industry,
which also will provide training and other logistical services that will support the long-term availability of the aircraft.

“When selling the F-16 fleet we have worked to also secure opportunities for Norwegian industry.

In this particular case, to supplement our sale of aircraft and equipment,
Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services has been chosen as a strategic partner,
delivering support, maintenance and training of Romanian technical personnel,” said Ms. Jære.

https://www.joint-forces.com/defence-eq ... or-romania

[Stratofreighter]

https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/ro ... 52.article

Romania’s defence ministry has signed a €388 million ($385 million) contract
to acquire 32 surplus Lockheed Martin F-16A/Bs from Norway,
with the jets to be transferred from late 2023.

Signed in Bucharest on 4 November 2022
with the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA),
the deal will see deliveries conclude during 2024.

It also covers the provision of spare engines, personnel training, and maintenance and logistics support,
with this to involve Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services.

The Royal Norwegian Air Force earlier this year ended operations with its F-16 fleet,
having operated the type for 42 years.

Oslo is already selling up to 12 of its retired aircraft to US adversary training specialist Draken International.

Norwegian industry will modify stored fighters to the M6.5.2 operating configuration – the standard used on Romania’s current F-16 fleet –
prior to their transfer to the nation.
Bucharest says this “will allow their operation by the Romanian air force for a period of at least 10 years”,
prior to it acquiring “fifth-generation” assets as replacements.



The service currently flies 17 F-16A/Bs,
and will retire its remaining 16 Mikoyan MiG-21 fighters by 15 May 2023, it announced earlier this year,
following a fatal accident involving the latter type.

The transfer remains contingent on the transaction receiving export approval from both the Norwegian and US governments.

The Romanian defence ministry says it expects Washington’s approval process to be completed before year-end.

https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/ro ... 52.article

https://www.edrmagazine.eu/norway-signs ... th-romania

Facts and figures

In 2019 the Norwegian Ministry of Defence tasked the NDMA with the sale and disposal of the Norwegian F-16 fleet after its retirement from service in a way most beneficial to the Norwegian state.

On November the 4th the NDMA signed a contract with Romania for the sale of two squadrons, a total of 32 aircraft,
with associated equipment and spare parts. The contract also includes maintenance, aircraft modification and technical training services.
The value of the contract amounts to 388 million Euros.

The first delivery to Romania is currently planned for late 2023, with the second in 2024.

The NDMA has previously signed a contract with Draken International for the sale of up to 12 F-16s,
which are to be used under a training services agreement with the US Air Force.

The sale of F-16s and related equipment is tightly regulated,
and the current contract will need approval from both Norwegian and US export control authorities.
Source Norwegian Defence Material Agency

https://www.edrmagazine.eu/norway-signs ... th-romania

[roberto]

28/11 first 3 Norwegian F-16's delivered to Romania, F-16BM 1632 was one of them

[Sleegertje]

Thanks for the information Roberto.
The Norwegian serial was 693
I also received a picture of F-16 686 with 1645 on the nose.

So known at the moment are
F-16AM 686 - 1645
F-16BM 693 - 1632

Please keep the updates coming.
Many thanks in advance.

[Starfighter_F-104G]

32 F-16s serial 1618 / 1649
1624 293 F-16AM
1632 693 F-16BM
1645 686 F-16AM

[Sleegertje]

All three arrived yesterday in Romania.
Those three are planned to participate in the flypast over Bucharest tomorrow.

[AndyMarden]

Think you've got a typo there...