The U.S. State Department approved the sale of 32 F-35A Joint Strike Fighters to Romania for $7.2 billion. Romania’s deal includes F135 engines and a spare engine for each jet. This sale would provide Romania with its first two squadrons of F-35s, with plans to buy 16 more jets for a third squadron.
Romania expects to receive its first F-35s in 2030, potentially becoming NATO’s largest F-35 operator on the eastern flank. The proposed sale aims to enhance Romania’s self-defense capabilities and regional security, improving interoperability with the U.S. and NATO allies while supporting national security goals.
The purchase includes logistics and maintenance support, training, and equipment. Lockheed primarily manufactures F-35s in Fort Worth, Texas. Additionally, the State Department approved a $4.1 billion deal for Japan to purchase up to nine KC-46A Pegasus refueling tankers from Boeing.
