MiG-21 ‘Lancer’
(click to view full)

Israeli companies have made something of a specialty of refurbishing older Western fighters and even Soviet fighters with modern radars, avionics, and Israeli weapons like the Python air-air missile, giving the systems new life. India’s refurbished MiG-21 ‘Bisons’ combined Russian, Indian and Israeli technology* to excellent effect in the COPE India 2004 and 2005 exercises with the USAF, and there’s even a Russian-Israeli MiG-21 2000 variant that exists for general sale. An all-Israeli effort was undertaken along somewhat similar lines to create Romania’s MiG-21 ‘Lancers’ via upgrade.

In 2005, rumor had it that the success of those efforts had led to a more ambitious fighter deal between Israel and Romania for upgraded Cheyl Ha’Avir F-16A/Bs – but 3 years later, that doesn’t seem to have gone anywhere. Other firms entered the mix, including Saab with its JAS-39 Gripen and – surprisingly – EADS’ Eurofighter. In the end, however, the USA appears to have flown away with more new orders for its F-16C/D fighters…

Romania, Romania, Romania: Drivers and Options

JAS-39 Gripen
(click to view full)

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 (Hebrew for “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 has been set up to coordinate the various stages of what seems to be a complicated deal.

So, what did the Romanians have to say?, back in 2005?

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 a leasing system, auctions, or even participation in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program were under consideration.

The $40-60 million per plane cost of the F-35 JSF makes that course of action very unlikely; used aircraft from other countries or leases are almost certainly going to be Romania’s only realistic options. Its possible choices also tend to narrow down to the lightweight fighter segment, in order to achieve even the 24 modern fighters desired for the kind of money the country will want to spend.

That leaves a small set of options:

• Used F-16 Falcons, from Israel or from other NATO countries.

• Mirage 2000s, possibly used, from France.

• Leased JAS-39 Gripens from Sweden. These may be more expensive than used aircraft, but it provides a 4+ generation fighter and comes with industrial offsets.

• Russian aircraft with upgraded Western avionics et. al., much as Israel did for their Lancers. The MiG-29 is the only modern Russian fighter in Romania’s likely cost profile. Downsides include minimized NATO interoperability, and extra costs per plane due to the required refit.

F-16I Soufa
(click to view full)

The one potential downside to the F-16 is the necessity of US approval for technology transfer or sale. After all, these Romanian deal rumors 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 and forced Israel to terminate its defense relationship with China.

Israel was not selling Venezuela F-16s, so only the new, tighter export restrictions could kill the deal. In Romania’s case, however, Israel would be transferring the weapons themselves, not just maintaining them with Israeli technology. Formal American approval has always been required for any transfer of US equipment to third countries.

Fortunately, sales to a new NATO member like Romania aren’t likely to attract any vetos from the USA. Indeed, rumor has it that the potential deal with Romania was 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.

UPDATES:

F-16A (click to view full)

May 19/08: The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announces [PDF] Romania’s formal request for 48 F-16C/D Block 50/52 Aircraft, in a surprisingly rich deal that could run as high as $4.5 billion if all options are exercised. There are no known industrial offset agreements in connection with this proposed sale, and implementation will require multiple trips to Romania involving U.S. Government and contractor representatives for technical reviews/support, program management, and training over a period of 15 years.

The full request involves a number of contractors, and a few contracts whose equipment choices are still competitive. Note that even this announcement is not necessarily determinative. A March 19/02 DSCA announcement [PDF] covered a $1.7 billion offer to Austria of 30 updated and refurbished F-16s, but that country ended up buying EADS’ Eurofighter instead. These competitions are never truly over until a contract is signed.

• The first component of the proposed Romanian deal involves 24 refurbished and upgraded USAF F-16C/D Block 25 aircraft, with Pratt & Whitney’s F100-PW-220 Increased Performance Engines (IPE) and Northrop Grumman APG-68v1 radars.

• The second component of the deal involves 24 new-build F-16C/D Block 50/52 aircraft. Romania can choose either the Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engine, or General Electric’s F110-GE-129 Increased Performance Engine (IPE). These F-16s will all be equipped with Northrop Grumman’s APG-68v9 radar, which is a much more advanced radar than the APG-68v1. Its grund surveillance and attack capabilities are particularly improved.

The proposed order would also include up to:

• 24 Conformal Fuel Tanks (pairs) for the Block 50/52s
• 5 F100-PW-220 IPE spare engines for the Block 25s
• 4 F100-PW-229 or F110-GE-129 IPE spare engines for the Block 50/52s
• 4 APG-68v9 spare radar sets;
• 6 Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System helmet-mounted displays
• 4 Link-16 Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminals;
• 2 Link-16 Ground Stations;
• 60 LAU-129/A launchers, which can fire both AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles;
• 30 LAU-117 launchers;
• 4 AN/ARC-238 Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio Systems (SINCGARS) with HAVE QUICK I/II;
• 4 Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Embedded GPS/ Inertial Navigation Systems (INS);
• 12 AN/AAQ-33 Sniper or AN/AAQ-28 Litening Targeting Pods;
• 4 Tactical Air Reconnaissance Systems or DB-110 Reconnaissance Pods (RECCE);
• 4 AN/APX-113 Advanced Identification Friend or Foe (AIFF) Systems;
• 28 AN/ALQ-213 Electronic Warfare Management Systems;
• 28 of ITT’s AN/ALQ- 211 Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suite (AIDEWS); or Raytheon’s AN/ALQ-187 Advanced Countermeasures Electronic Systems (ACES), or BAE’s AN/ALQ-178 Self-Protection Electronic Warfare Suites (SPEWS).

The deal would also include support equipment, software development/integration, tanker support, ferry services, CAD/PAD, repair and return, modification kits, spares and repair parts, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical, engineering, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support. This list suggests an extensive range of support that is unique to the USAF.

The principal contractors, and some of the items they are responsible for, include:

• BAE Advanced Systems in Greenlawn, NY (APX-113 AIFF, ALQ-178)
• Boeing Corporation in Seattle, WA
• Boeing Integrated Defense Systems: St Louis, MO; Long Beach, CA; San Diego, CA (JHMCS)
• Raytheon Company: Lexington, MA; Goleta, CA (ALQ-187)
• Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, AZ
• Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company in Fort Worth, TX (F-16s)
• Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control in Dallas, TX (Sniper pods)
• Northrop-Grumman Electro-Optical Systems in Garland, TX (LITENING pods)
• Northrop-Grumman Electronic Systems in Baltimore, MD (APG-68 radars, ALQ-213 with Terma, )
• Pratt & Whitney United Technology Company in East Hartford, CT (engines)
• General Electric Aircraft Engines in Cincinnati, OH (engines)
• Goodrich ISR Systems in Danbury, CT (DB-110 REECE pods)
• L3 Communications in Arlington, TX

Oct 19/07: China’s government-controlled Xinhua agency quotes Eurofighter’s program director for Romania Giuseppe Paoletti as saying that that Eurofighter is making Romania an offer of 24 Typhoon aircraft, with the first operational squadron provided for 2010 and the rest delivered in the 2010-2014 period. He also reportedly said that Finnmecanica of Italy was interested in buying the local Craiova-based Aircraft Factory, which may offer technical support and maintenance for the Typhoon warplane. The statements reportedly came at a press conference organized within the EXPOMIL 2007 show in Bucharest. Xinhua story.

At over $100 million per aircraft, the Eurofighter was not expected to be a major contender given its cost. Time will tell.

Oct 19/07: Gripen International is also attending the EXPOMIL 2007 show in Bucharest, and meeting with senior government officials [release is in Romana].

2006: Gripen International (Saab & BAE) introduces a Romanian language web site promoting the JAS-39 Gripen as Romania’s best choice.

Nov 25/05: DID’s article covering an Israeli RFI for new trainer aircraft notes another area of significant Israeli-Romanian cooperation: Romanian IAR-99C trainer aircraft with Israeli avionics that include embedded training capability. This could create an interesting barter angle to any potential F-16 Netz deal.

Oct 31/05: Reports surface that Romania is discussing a $150 million buy of F-16A/B Netz (Heb. “falcon”) aircraft with Israel for “dozens” of aircraft. The Israelis could conceivably sell the used F-16s quite cheap, knowing that the refurbishment contracts would be lucrative. F-16.NET | Avianews.

Feb 4/05: Romania is reportedly asking about used Belgian F-16s. F-16.NET report.

See also:

• MERIA (November 2004) – India-Israel Partnership: Convergence and Constraints. Places their joint efforts in a larger context.