F-16 fighter jets of the Romanian Air Force - maintenance in Romania

F-16 fighter jets from the Romanian Air Force might be ensured maintenance in Bacău, Romania, governmental sources told Radio Romania News (RRA).

Romanian Prime Minister Mihai Tudose and Lockheed Martin Vice President Jonathan Hoyle discussed on Wednesday about opportunities for Defense industry co-operation.

The subject was also addressed by US Ambassador in Romania, Hans Klemm, and Romanian Defense Minister, Adrian Ţuţuianu.

The two visited two Defense production capacities in Dâmboviţa County, Mija and Dragomireşti.

Romanian Minister of National Defense, Adrian Ţuţuianu: "We have very good discussions with American companies interested in engaging in the Romanian Army endowment program and in direct collaboration with Romanian companies.

Even now as we speak, my colleague, State Secretary Mircea Duşa and Prime Minister Tudose have signed a Memorandum with an extremely important company - Lockheed Martin, involved in the Patriot program, in the HIMARS missile program or in the F-16 airplane maintenance and development program, where we also hope the F-35 will be considered".

The Romanian Defense Minister will pay a visit in the United States in September to meet with the US Secretary of Defense, US Ambassador Klemm announced on Wednesday.

It will be the first such visit after four years, Ambassador Klemm said: "This is a very important moment that is now happening and for which we have waited for four years and even more and which allows the two Defense leaders of both states to discuss issues of common interest on national security, that will allow talks in reference to increased cooperation between states, on this matter, both bilaterally within the framework of the Strategic Partnership, but also as allies within NATO.

On this occasion, the two Defense leaders will be able to discuss the development of cooperation between the two countries".

Source:RRA.Translated by Miruna Matei