First Norwegian F-16s to Romania

This week, last week of November 2023, the first three former Luftforsvaret (RNoAF, Royal Norwegian Air Force) F-16AM/BM Fighting Falcons will be flown to Romania. According to the information, the aircraft will be flown by pilots of the Fortele Aeriene ale Romanei (FAR, Romanian Air Force).

One of the three Fighting Falcons is F-16BM with Romanian serial 1632, which is confirmed as the former RNoAF 693 as this one was seen during a testflight at Kjeller. On 23 November 2023, RNoAF F-16AM 686 was also noted on a testflight from Kjeller with Romanian serial 1645 painted on the nose of the fighter. The third aircraft is 1624 which is former RNoAF F-16AM 293. All three fighters were delivered on 29 November 2023 from Rygge Air Station.

Romania will receive 32 F-16 Mid-Life Update Block 10/15 aircraft from Norway and all aircraft should be delivered until 2025. In December 2021, the Romanian Ministry of National Defense (MoD) requested the parliament to approve the procurement. In November 2022, the procurement was approved and the contract with the Norwegian Defence Material Agency (NDMA) was signed.

This year, on 30 June, the US State Department approved the Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Romania. It is not known yet which airframes will be used for the 32 aircraft, but in the Scramble Magazine news item of 3 July 2023 we made an overview of the possible candidates.

Credit photos: Onar Digernes Aase / Defense