Israeli companies have made something of a specialty of refurbishing older Western fighters and even Soviet fighters with modern Western avionics and Israeli weapons like the Python air-air missile, giving the systems new life. India’s refurbished MiG-21 ‘Bisons’ provide one example, and a similar effort was undertaken to create Romania’s MiG-21 ‘Lancers’. Now rumour has it that the success of these efforts has led to a more ambitious deal.
Former Soviet-bloc countries need to modernize their militaries as part of NATO’s interoperability goals, but funds can be a challenge. The Czech Republic and Hungary’s choice of 10-year leases for 14 fourth-generation JAS-39 Gripen aircraft each illustrates one possible solution. Now reports in the Israeli press indicated that Romania and may go another route, and spend $150 million to purchase “dozens” of used F-16A Netz (Falcon) aircraft from Israel. Israeli contractor Elbit Systems would be the lead contractor overseeing their refurbishment and upgrade with newer Israeli electronics.
This could be a good deal for both parties. The Romanians would receive a version of the most widely-adopted fighter in NATO, with electronics that would be interoperable with NATO standards. The reports note that the Israeli Air force (“Cheyl Ha’Avir”) plans to phase out at least some of its 75 older F-16A/B planes as it introduces 102 new F-16I Soufa (Storm) jets, which incorporate all of the F-16 Block 52 advancements plus Israeli electronics and weapons. Reports claim that a special committee to coordinate the various stages of what seems to be a complicated deal.
So, what did the Romanians have to say?
The Romanian Ministry of Defense admitted that they are undertaking “an evaluation of the feasible alternatives for the replacement of the MIG-21 Lancer aircraft,” with a decision scheduled for 2006-2007 and a target date of 2010-2012 for initial operational capability. Thy also noted, however, that they are interested in more than one type of plane. Defense Minister Atanasiu said then that Romania needed at least 24 new aircraft, and that leasing system, auctions, or even participation in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program were under consideration.
The $40-50 million per plane cost of the JSF makes that course of action unlikely; used aircraft from other countries or leases are almost certainly going to be Romania’s realistic options. Its possible choices also tend to narrow down to the lightweight fighter segment, in order to achieve even the 24 fighters desired at anything approaching a reasonable cost.
Fortunately, sales to a new NATO member like Romania aren’t likely to attract any vetos from the USA.
After all, these Romanian deal rumours come hot on the heels of the forced freeze of Venezuela’s $100 million F-16A upgrade contract with Israel, under a new system in which the USA exercises far more say than ever before regarding Israeli weapons deals. These measures were negotiated in order to secure Israel’s re-admission into the multinational F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, after Washington removed that access in order to force Israel to terminate its defense relationship with China.
In the case of this potential contract, however, American approval is required for an older reason: sales of US-made military equipment generally require US approval for any transfer of that equipment to third countries. Israel was not selling Venezuela F-16s, so only the new arrangements could kill the deal. In Romania’s case, however, Israel is transferring the weapons themselves, not just maintaining them with Israeli technology.
Rumour has it that the deal with Romania has been given a provisional green light by the American government and by Lockheed Martin. DID will continue to follow developments related to Romania’s future fighter force choices, and eventual decision.
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November 17, 2005 at 4:56 pm