European fighter manufacturers Eurofighter and Saab have raised eyebrows after news of Romania’s intention to buy 24 used US F-16 fighters for 1.3 billion dollars.
Eurofighter - which produces Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft - said it regretted Romania's decision was taken without an international bid for a contract, which it claimed was a standard procedure in the European Union.
"Eurofighter would have offered a broad financial package, a fighter much more efficient and better performing than the F-16 and offsets for Romanian industry that would have secured jobs over the long term for hundreds of specialists and technical personnel.
"Romania's decision not to use open bidding has deprived the country of another opportunity to strengthen relations with the aerospace industry in Europe, which believes that Romania may play an important role in it.
"One of the partners of the Eurofighter programme intends to open a factory for composite materials at Ghimbav Brasov," it added.
Eurofighter noted that Austria and and Saudi Arabia had bought Eurofighters and in exchange it had made direct investments in those countries.
"In the four countries that are partners of the Eurofighter programme, there are 100,000 jobs assured, directly or indirectly, in over 400 companies. The positive economic impact of the Eurofighter in the four countries is estimated to amount to over 60 billion Euros".
The company claimed that its Eurofighter Typhoon was the most-advanced new generation fighter in the world and had already been ordered by countries like Germany, Spain, Italy, the UK, Austria and Saudi Arabia.
Swedish manufacturer Saab, which produces the Gripen fighter, also said it was "surprised" by Romania's decision to buy second hand F-16s without offsets.
"Unfortunately, the Romanian Air Force is taking others' scrap", it said.
Saab also requested the Romanian Defence Ministry to inform Parliament about all the offers that Romania had received for fighters.
Romania will pay 1.3 billion dollars for 24 used F-16 fighter planes, according to the Defence Ministry.
The High Council for National Defense (CSAT) approved the purchase of 24 used F16 fighters requested by the Defence Ministry earlier this week.
The request will be sent to Parliament for debate and a vote, according to the president’s office.
Romanian Times
