Romanian Defence Ministry: Parliament decides if F16 aircrafts should be bought

The Romanian Parliament will decide whether the Romanian Army will buy the American F16 aircrafts, Romanian National Defence minister Gabriel Oprea declared on Tuesday in Brasov (central).

„The acquisition of these aircrafts has been recommended by Air Force specialists, the ones who will use these planes. I trust their recommendation, but the final decision will be met by the Parliament. It’s a strategic decision which the Romanian people will take through the Parliament”, Defence minister declared, quoted by Romanian news agency Mediafax.

The minister said that it has submitted the proposal of buying the F16s to the State’s Supreme Defence Council (CSAT). The proposal is due to reach the Defence Commissions of the Parliament’s two chambers, where the verdict will be given and the proposal will be forwarded to the Senate and Deputies Chamber plenum.

According to Oprea, one argument for buying the American second-hand aircrafts is the fact that the armies of all member states are using this type of aircrafts in the Black Sea region and over 25 armies have F16, which have been successfully tested in conflicts.

CSAT has approved the Defence Ministry’s proposal of buying 24 second-hand f16 aircrafts last week. The document is to be debated by the Parliament, who is responsible for the final decision.