Military finds one billion dollars for F16 aircraft even in times of crisis
Autor:
Iulian Anghel
24.03.2010
The 24 F-16 aircraft, which will become the property of the
Romanian air force, will cost between 900 million dollars (665
million euros) and 1.2 billion dollars (888 million euros), with
the price being "adjusted" by the crisis, if we consider that in
2007, back when Romania did not believe in the recession yet,
Romania's Supreme Defense Council (CSAT) approved the acquisition
of 48 multi-role aircraft whose price was estimated at 3.5 - 4.5
billion euros.
CSAT approved on Tuesday the purchase by the Romanian army of
24 multi-role fighter aircraft (F16 - a model manufactured by
American company Lockheed Martin). The aircraft are already in use,
so they will be purchased not from the manufacturers, but from
those who have bought them, the American military for
instance.
In fact, contacted by Mediafax news agency, representatives of
Lockheed Martin refused to comment on this acquisition, specifying
they were not entitled to do so since this is a contract signed
between the governments of the two countries.
Details on this agreement are scarce, with Lockheed Martin failing to provide the year of manufacture, on the number of hours flown by the aircraft, let alone on the acquisition price.