US clears F-35 sale to Romania, bolstering NATO’s eastern flank

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The U.S. State Department approved a $7.2 billion sale of 32 F-35A Joint Strike Fighters to Romania, including F135 engines and a spare engine. This deal would provide Romania with its first two squadrons of F-35s, with plans to purchase 16 more jets for a third squadron. Romania is expected to receive its first F-35s in 2030, potentially making it NATO’s largest F-35 operator on the eastern flank. The sale aims to enhance Romania’s defense capabilities and interoperability with NATO allies, especially in light of Russian aggression in Ukraine. The deal also includes logistics, training, maintenance support, and weapons systems to strengthen Romania’s military readiness.

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