Israel is in the final stages of closing a $200 million deal to supply recent NATO entrant Romania with 24 of its air force’s Lockheed Martin F-16A/B fighters. The proposed sale has received approval from the US government. Lockheed is also taking part in the negotiations.
Prime contractor-elect Elbit Systems is offering an advanced upgrade package for the surplus aircraft, which have become available following the introduction into service of Israel’s F-16I Sufa fighters, 102 of which are on order.
Elbit is proposing to install new avionics in the Romanian aircraft, and to integrate additional equipment including advanced weapons to be supplied by companies including Israel Military Industries and Rafael. Each aircraft will also be checked for airframe fatigue and treated in Israel before delivery. Israeli sources say a prototype will be completed in Israel, but the series upgrade will be conducted in Romania by companies that worked with Elbit on the Lancer upgrade to over 100 of its MiG-21s, primarily Aerostar.
An F-16 acquisition would come as a blow to rival manufacturers, including Saab, which had expected Romania to launch a competition next year for up to 48 new fighters to replace its MiG-21s between 2008 and 2012.
The deal would strengthen Elbit’s position in supplying the Romanian armed forces, as the company this year also secured deals worth $25 million to conduct a further upgrade with local firm IAR Brasov to bring air force and navy IAR-330 Puma transport helicopters up to NATO standards.
Israel is supporting Lockheed’s efforts to promote the F-16 to meet India’s 126-aircraft lightweight fighter requirement to replace the Indian air force’s ageing MiG-21 and MiG-23 strike aircraft. Elbit and Lockheed have already teamed for the possible deal, which could result in the delivery of Block 50/52 aircraft with a similar configuration to the F-16I, which has 25% Israeli content.
The F-16 faces competition from aircraft including the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Mirage 2000, RSK MiG-29 and Saab Gripen.
ARIE EGOZI/TEL AVIV
Source: Flight International
