21 IAR 99 Şoim aircrafts to be upgraded this year

Romanian Ministry of National Defense intends to start this year the upgrading of 21 IAR 99 Şoim aircrafts. These would become training aircrafts for the pilots who will operate the F16s in service for the Romanian Air Force.

First airplane has already been taken to the Craiova Factory and the Army, Ministry of Research and Ministry of Economy have set a collaboration to start the modernization.

Minister of National Defense, Mihai Fifor, expressed hope that by the end of the year, a winner could be nominated for the construction of the four multifunctional corvettes. One condition is that these battleships are produced in a construction site in Romania through technology transfer. Also, „King Ferdinand” and „Queen Mary” frigates belonging to the Romanian Naval Force are to be upgraded through an off-set program. RRA Military Reporter Radu Dobriţoiu recalls that the specific procedure for the construction of the corvettes was launched in March.

These statements were made by the Minister of National Defense, Mihai Fifor, who - along with Margareta, Crown Princess and Custodian of the Crown of Romania, and Prince Radu of Romania - attended the ceremony where the Military Technical Academy received the honorary name of "Ferdinand I" on the Day of Romania’s Royalty.

Source:RRA.Translated by Miruna Matei