Israel, Romania seal F-16 sale deal

[P.A.F]

Israel, Romania seal F-16 sale deal

Washington OKs deal between Romania and Israel; Bucharest will purchase dozens of F-16 aircrafts from Israel; deal worth USD 150 million


Under a plan to overhaul its air force Romania has turned to Israel for assistance. The East European country prefers to buy the most advanced fighter jets available on the market yet the price tag for the newest F-16 is likely to pierce a hole in Bucharest’s pocket.

Romania has therefore decided to purchase older versions of the renowned American-made jet from the Israel Defense Forces, which is also replacing its F-16 A and F-16 B fleets with F-16 I jets.

The IDF has set up a special committee to coordinate the various stages of what seems to be a complicated deal that will cost Romania an estimated USD 150 million.

Under the deal, Israeli contractor Elbit Systems will oversee the upgrading and maintenance of the fleet sold to Romania. Elbit is known to having updated MiG 21 fighters for the Romania air force in the past.
Other Israeli companies will also be contracted to upgrade Romania’s old fleet with advanced Israeli-made systems.
Israel is hoping that the successful deal will open the gate for more deals with other countries. This is no straightforward business however. Israel needs Washington’s approval for selling F-16 jets and other American-made military platforms.
The deal with Romania was approved by the American government and Lockheed Martin, the U.S. aircraft manufacturer, with no hurdles since Romania is a NATO member.
The U.S. refused to allow Israeli companies to upgrade fighter jets for the Venezuelan army in light of the political tension between Washington and Caracas.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3161362,00.html

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Looks like isreal is looking to get rid of its F-16 over time.

 

[slapshot]

This deal makes sense to me on a number of levels. Romania needs the upgrade in its air defence badly as the Mig 21 is old and can not be updated anymore than it already has. Also logistical support from other NATO allies will be much simpler with this deal. Israel on the other hand gets rid of some older birds it would scrap anyways but also it open ups a arms supply deal with a NATO country that I believe is not very common. I know that the US and Israel do alot of bussiness together but there has been very little arms dealings between Israel and other Nato nations. I maybe wrong about that but I think it is significant that a NATO country is willing to deal directly with Israel on a major upgrade to there defensive abilities

 

[gf0012-aust]

The article is a bit misleading. Israel is not in a position to influence it's F-16's going to any customer.

All US aircraft that are going to be onsold are subject to US State Dept (min approval). The former owner has no say in that decision making process. Aircraft are "reacquired" by the US and are then subject to onselling by the US as the prime. Every US aircraft owner is bound by this caveat.

The only piece of accurate reporting is that they are ex-Israeli aircraft and that the Israelis may provide post purchase support and assistance.

 

[P.A.F]

Here is a article which may be a little more clear

http://www.f-16.net/f-16_news_article1492.html

Monday, October 31, 2005 - Washington OKs deal between Romania and Israel; Bucharest will purchase dozens of F-16 aircrafts from Israel in a deal worth around USD 150 million.
Under a plan to overhaul its air force Romania has turned to Israel for assistance. The East European country prefers to buy the most advanced fighter jets available on the market yet the price tag for the newest F-16 is likely to pierce a hole in Bucharest's pocket.

Romania has therefore decided to purchase older versions of the F-16 from the Israel Defense Forces, which is also replacing its F-16A and F-16B fleets with F-16I jets.

The IDF has set up a special committee to coordinate the various stages of what seems to be a complicated deal that will cost Romania an estimated USD 150 million.

Under the deal, Israeli contractor Elbit Systems will oversee the upgrading and maintenance of the fleet sold to Romania. Elbit is known to having updated MiG 21 fighters for the Romania air force in the past.

Other Israeli companies will also be contracted to upgrade Romania's old fleet with advanced Israeli-made systems.

Israel is hoping that the successful deal will open the gate for more deals with other countries. This is no straightforward business however. Israel needs Washington's approval for selling F-16 jets and other American-made military platforms.

The deal with Romania was approved by the American government and Lockheed Martin, the U.S. aircraft manufacturer, with no hurdles since Romania is a NATO member.

The U.S. refused to allow Israeli companies to upgrade fighter jets for the Venezuelan army in light of the political tension between Washington and Caracas.

Lol same article. different source.