Romania set to purchase 32 F-35s from the U.S. for $6.5 billion
- September 27, 2023
- Posted by: Quatro Strategies
- Categories: Aerospace & Defense, Europe, United States
Romania is set to purchase 32 latest-generation F-35 fighter planes from U.S. manufacturer Lockheed Martin at a cost of $6.5 billion, according to an announcement by the country’s defense ministry. The decision to acquire these advanced aircraft aligns with Romania’s efforts to bolster its defense capabilities in response to security concerns, notably Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Romania, an EU and NATO member, has increased defense spending to 2.5% of its GDP from 2% this year.
The country shares a significant border of 650 kilometers (400 miles) with Ukraine, and the conflict in Ukraine has brought the conflict closer to Romania’s borders as Russia repeatedly attacks Ukrainian ports along the River Danube.
This strategic move to purchase the F-35s is seen as a crucial step to enhance Romania’s defense and security, considering its geographical proximity to the ongoing conflict and the evolving security landscape in the region.
This acquisition complements Romania’s existing defense assets, such as the procurement of 32 second-hand F-16 fighter jets from Norway last year and the acquisition of 17 F-16s from Portugal since 2016. Additionally, Romania has been expanding its defense infrastructure, establishing a regional training hub for F-16 pilots, furthering its collaboration with NATO and allies, including Ukraine.
The purchase of the F-35s is part of a comprehensive deal, including logistics, training services, flight simulators, ammunition, and an option for Romania to buy an additional 16 F-35s in the future. While the initial agreement was approved by Romania’s supreme defense council (CSAT) in April, final contracts are expected to be signed next year, with the first planes anticipated for delivery after 2030, according to Defense Minister Angel Tilvar.
QUATRO Strategies International Inc. is the leading business insights and corporate strategy company based in Toronto, Ontario. Through our unique services, we counsel our clients on their key strategic issues, leveraging our deep industry expertise and using analytical rigor to help them make informed decisions to establish a competitive edge in the marketplace.
Interested in learning more?
Sign up for Top Insights Today
Top Insights Today delivers the latest insights straight to your inbox.
You will get daily industry insights on
Oil & Gas, Rare Earths & Commodities, Mining & Metals, EVs & Battery Technology, ESG & Renewable Energy, AI & Semiconductors, Aerospace & Defense, Sanctions & Regulation, Business & Politics.
Read more insights
China proposes export restrictions on key technologies for lithium and gallium processing
China’s commerce ministry has proposed export restrictions on certain technologies essential for processing minerals like lithium and gallium, as well as manufacturing components for electric vehicle (EV) batteries. These measures, detailed in a document released on Thursday, reflect Beijing’s broader strategy to maintain dominance…
China’s food security strategy runs into Brazil’s infrastructure limits
China’s growing reliance on Brazil to meet its agricultural needs amid the escalating trade war with the U.S. is running into a harsh logistical reality: the country’s main export gateway, the Port of Santos, is strained to the breaking point. As Beijing promises its citizens they can forgo U.S. crops without consequence, fulfilling that promise depends on whether Brazil can rapidly modernize its aging infrastructure and boost capacity.
For China, securing food supplies has become a matter of national strategy. Amid shrinking arable land, water scarcity, and growing geopolitical tensions, Beijing has been investing heavily in Latin America’s agricultural infrastructure. Nowhere is this more evident than at the Port of Santos, where China’s state-owned agribusiness giant Cofco is building its largest export terminal outside China.
China’s semi-finished steel exports soar 320% amid domestic demand slump
China’s steel sector is unleashing a new export wave in semi-finished steel products, a category that has suddenly become a major release valve for the country’s industrial overcapacity. Exports of billets and other intermediate forms surged 320% in the first seven months of 2025 to 7.4 million tons, customs data show.
July’s tally alone topped 1.5 million tons, accounting for 14% of China’s total steel exports that month, a remarkable share for products that historically made up only a sliver of outbound shipments. This sharp rise comes despite intensifying global protectionism and a record number of anti-dumping probes against Chinese steelmakers.