Romania rejects Gripen; goes for used F-16s

[Armand2REP]

Saab lost Romania fighter jet deal

BUCHAREST (AFP) - Romania turned down Swedish fighter jets as the country will purchase 24 second-hand F-16 fighter jets.


"Since Romania does not have the necessary resources to buy new multi-role combat aircraft, the CSAT has approved the defense ministry's proposal to purchase 24 second-hand F-16 jets," the Supreme Defense Council (CSAT) said in a press release at the end of a meeting headed by President Traian Basescu.

"The decision will be submitted to Parliament for approval."

Apart from the F-16, Romania was also considering purchasing Swedish-made Gripen jets (Saab), Eurofighters (EADS, BAE Systems and Alenia/Finmeccanica) and French-made Rafales (Dassault).

The jets made by US aerospace company Lockheed Martin will replace the ageing, Soviet-made MiG-21 Lancer aircraft currently used by the Romanian air force.

No detail on the cost of the purchase was immediately available.

Romania has long mulled the purchase of fighter planes but has delayed the decision due to a lack of funds.

In 2008, the defense ministry had argued that buying second-hand F-16 jets would enable Romania's armed forces to enjoy greater inter-operability with other NATO states.

At the time, military sources had said the second-hand jets would cost around 800 million dollars, while new ones could amount to 3.5 billion.

Last Updated (Wednesday, 24 March 2010 05:04)

http://www.swedishwire.com/componen...anies/3460:saab-lost-romania-fighter-jet-deal

 

[Armand2REP]

Swedish Saab Surprised at Romania's F-16 Choice
By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Published: 25 Mar 2010 17:31

BUCHAREST - Swedish group Saab said Thursday it was "surprised" at Romania's choice of F-16 second-hand aircraft to the detriment of its Gripen and asked authorities to submit all offers to parliament.

"We are surprised at the statement indicating that the Supreme Defence Council is pursuing the old F-16s, without any offset, due to lack of financial resources,", said Richard Smith, Saab's marketing director for Romania.
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"Unfortunately, the Romanian armed force may end up with someone else's junk."

The Supreme Council announced Wednesday it would submit to parliament its decision to purchase 24 F-16 aircraft currently used by the US air force.

Bucharest is also considering buying 24 new F-16 and, at a later stage, acquiring 24 F-35 jets, the defense ministry said, stressing this was part of the Romanian-U.S. "strategic partnership."

But Saab said the ministry should "present to parliament all the offers that have been submitted, so that all the facts are available for discussion."

The Swedish group also argued its offer was "better by far, from the economic perspective, due to .... the generous 100 percent offset."

"We are guaranteeing offset which will bring investments and create tens of thousands of new jobs. The U.S. is promising nothing. In a period of economic crisis, this is simply outrageous."

Romania has long mulled the purchase of fighter planes to replace its ageing, Soviet-made MiG-21 Lancer aircraft, but has delayed the decision due to lack of funds.

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4554830&c=EUR&s=AIR

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Amasing that Saab can't even sell Gripen NG with a 100% offset... crazy.

 

[Dark_Prince]

This is surprising! Did Americans offer F-16E/F Block 60?

Even if its Block 60; low maintenance, capability of flying more sorties, less than 15 minutes in engine replacements, capability of flying from short runways/roads, exemplary maneuverability, better integrated avionics and of-course lower cost etc etc makes Bad Boy-Gripen a more desirable choice than a Grandpa-F-16!

Truly a bad choice (second hand), probably to please unkil Sam, as there is no clear and present danger to Romania!!