Romanian Air Force MiG-21s withdrawn from use

In the 1960s the MiG-21s entered service with the Fortele Aeriene ale Romanei (FAR, Romanian Air Force), however it is not known how many MiGs were exactly delivered. Between 1997 and 2002 a total of 111 aircraft were equipped with NATO-compatible systems, these were called MiG-21 LanceR. There were three models, LanceR A for ground attack, LanceR B is the two-seat trainer version and LanceR C is the air superiority version.

The LanceR A version was withdrawn from use some years ago leaving around fourteen LanceR B and twentysix LanceR C models operational. Since the upgrade to LanceR models two LanceR B and at least nine LanceR C models have been lost due to crashes. The remaining aircraft suffered difficulties with maintaining the aircraft and serviceability. On 15 April 2022 all MiG-21 LanceR flights were suspended due to the high rate of accidents and to speed up the acquisition of 32 former Kongelige Norske Luftforsvaret (RNoAF, Royal Norwegian Air Force) F-16s. On 23 May 2022 the MiG-21 LanceR resumed flying.

For the MiG-21 retirement the FAR held ceremonies at Baza 71 Campia Turzii, Baza 86 Borcea/Fetesti and at Baza 95 Bacau on 15 May 2023. From Campia Turzii and Borcea/Fetesti departed three MiG-21 LanceR C models each and they performed a last air-to-air photoshoot and all six landed at Bacau where the final ceremony was held to mark over 60 years flying of the MiG-21 within the Romanian Air Force.

In the beginning of 2022 Major General Viorel Pana, the Chief of Staff of the Romanian Air Force said that at the end of 2023 the FAR will have its second F-16 squadron operational followed by the third squadron at the end of 2024. At this moment Escadrilla 53 Vanatoare Warhawks is the only operational squadron with seventeen F-16s operating from Baza 86 Aeriană at Borcea/Fetesti.

Photos by René Sleegers