Alexeni airfield was a military airfield, which was proposed as a new low-cost airport for Bucharest , located in the Alexeni town, in Ialomița County , at 60 km north-east of the capital city of Romania .
67-440: From 1965 to 2001 a Romanian Air Force military helicopter unit, the 94th Helicopter Regiment, was based on this airfield. Former Minister of Transport Radu Berceanu suggested the location for Bucharest 's new low-cost flights airport (as the operational tariffs for Bucharest 's previous low-cost hub, Aurel Vlaicu Airport , were set to grow). However, some analysts considered the project unrealistic and doomed to fail due to
134-474: A MIL-STD-1553 B data bus. The advanced avionics suite, including communications, navigation, identification systems and the cockpit configuration, are similar to those of the MiG 21 LanceR and F-16 fighter aircraft. The IAR 99 is also equipped with video and debriefing systems. The communication systems include VHF and UHF communications, voice-activated intercom and an IFF transponder. The flight systems include
201-847: A NATO -compatible one instead as the country was preparing to join the Alliance . Currently, the Romanian Air Force operates the F-16 Fighting Falcon multirole aircraft. The Romanian Air Force also operates C-130 Hercules , C-27J Spartan and An-26 transport airplanes and IAR 330 helicopters. IAR 330 Puma SOCAT helicopters have been modernized by the Romanian Aviation Industry in cooperation with Elbit Systems ( Israel ) for attack missions. The Romanian Air Force also includes locally built IAR 99 Șoim jets, in general only used for training of
268-564: A Romanian Farman F.40 downed an Imperial German Air Service aircraft near Slobozia ; this was the first Romanian aerial victory. By the end of World War I, Romanian pilots had flown about 11,000 hours and 750 missions; however, this was unable to prevent the December 1916 Romanian offensive at the Battle of the Argeș from being defeated, which resulted in the occupation of southern Romania, and
335-805: A Romanian pilot, although not officially registered, happened on 4 May when a Soviet Yak-3 was shot down in a clash with two Romanian Bf 109s . Starting in 1948, Romania tailored its military to Soviet concepts and doctrine. On 15 February 1949, the Aviation Command was established based on the Soviet model, regiments replacing the flotillas ( air wings ). In the following years, new Soviet aircraft, such as Yakovlev Yak-18 , Polikarpov Po-2 , Lavochkin La-9 , Tupolev Tu-2 , and Ilyushin Il-10 entered service. In 1951, 9 Yakovlev Yak-17s and Yak-23s entered
402-545: A VOR/ILS, linked VHF omnidirectional antenna radio ranger linked to the instrument landing system . Other navigation tools include distance measuring equipment (DME), an automatic direction finder (ADF), a Northrop Grumman inertial navigation system and a Trimble GPS system. One of the best features of the aircraft's avionics is a virtual training system that allows, based on a data link system, inflight simulations of firing and air combat capabilities using two or more aircraft. The IAR 99's electronic warfare suite
469-592: A detachment of Italian Eurofighter Typhoons . The repatriation ceremony for the personnel took place on 8 August at the 86th Air Base. Between April and July, the Romanian fighters intercepted over 60 Russian aircraft and participated in various multinational exercises totaling 600 fight hours. The Romanian Air Force General Staff represents the military concept-developing, command and executive structure providing Air Forces peacetime, crisis and wartime leadership in order to reach, maintain and increase, as required,
536-657: A first group of Romanian pilots. Due to the old age of the MiG-21 LanceRs , the Romanian Air Force procured F-16 fighters from partner states. In 2013, Romania signed a contract with Portugal for 12 F-16 A/B Block 15 MLU fighters. Under the Peace Carpathian program, the first six fighters entered service with the Romanian Air Force in September 2016, another three have been delivered in November and
603-566: A great step forward taking into account that it was the only jet fighter not made by the Soviets, the only one ever manufactured and operated by a Warsaw Pact country. In February 1956, the first helicopter squadron was established, followed by the reception of the first helicopter, a Soviet Mi-4 , a few months later. In 1961, the helicopter squadron received other Mi-4s, while PZL SM-1 and SM-2 helicopters equipped another squadron. From 1968, Mi-8 helicopters also entered service. In 1971,
670-468: A lead-in trainer for the newly upgraded MiG-21 Lancer. The Israeli company Elbit was chosen as an integrator. The avionics package is compatible with 5th generation fighter systems and it is inspired by the MiG-21 Lancer upgrade but adapted to IAR 99 needs. The first upgraded IAR 99 was the 18th production aircraft (number 718), which performed its first flight on 22 May 1997. The upgraded IAR 99
737-524: A maximum of 500) initially under Romanian Air Force overall command. The Deveselu Aegis Ashore site was declared operational on 13 May 2016. On 23 May, the MiG-21 LanceRs resumed flights after being suspended on 15 April 2022. The LanceR continued to fly for a period of one year, until 15 May 2023 when they were retired. On the starting day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine , two F-16s from
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#1732783579703804-402: A new avionics suite, an engine and radar. The Leonardo Vixen 500E radar was chosen and requires lengthening the nose by 900mm. A new engine which supports computer control is required to replace the 1951 designed Rolls-Royce Viper . This in turn will need a twice as big air intake. A prototype is expected to be completed by 2022. In December 2020, Elbit Systems announced they were awarded
871-654: A project named " Sniper " done by DASA , Aerostar and Elbit. The first flight took place on 5 May 2000 and the prototype was presented at ILA 2000 . However, the modernization project was canceled due to various reasons and the MiG-29s were retired. Following its entry into the Partnership for Peace program in 1994, Romania started cooperating with other countries with the goal of eventually joining NATO. For this, Romanian Air Force aircraft participated in many local or abroad exercises and airshows. Before joining NATO,
938-402: A third person. The balloon had made its first flight at Paris on 27 March of the same year. The first aeronautical unit of Romania was established 1893 under the 1st Telegraph Company in the 1st Engineer Regiment. The role of this unit was to operate the observation balloons for aerial surveillance in support of the artillery units defending the fortifications of Bucharest . In 1913, the unit
1005-521: Is based on the Elisra Electronic Systems radar warning receiver and electronic countermeasures pod plus a chaff and flare decoy dispenser. The systems are integrated through the 1553 data bus. The radar warning receiver detects pulse-Doppler , pulse and continuous wave radar threats and provides threat identification by comparing signal characteristics against a threat database. Data from Avioane Craiova SA, Jane's all
1072-837: Is divided in two stages, first of 32 aircraft and the second of 16 aircraft for a total of 48 F-35s which will replace the F-16s between 2034 and 2040. In 1818, during the reign of John Caradja , the prince of Wallachia , an unmanned hot air balloon was flown off Dealul Spirii in Bucharest . On 2 July [ O.S. 20 June] 1874, Marius Willemot, the owner of the hydrogen balloon named "Mihai Bravul" flew together with Majors Iacob Lahovary , Constantin Poenaru and Dumitrescu over Bucharest . The last flight took place on 19 [ O.S. 7 July] 1874, Willemot flying together with Colonel Nicolae Haralambie , Ion Ghica and
1139-551: Is located in Constanța County , 20 kilometres (12 mi) north of the city of, Constanța . 5 used for conversion training Note: Three C-17 Globemaster III and five RQ-4D are available through the Strategic Airlift Capability , and Alliance Ground Surveillance programs The Romanian Air Force also has several anti-aircraft systems: Note: Additionally, five WSR-98D radars owned by
1206-673: Is the air force branch of the Romanian Armed Forces . It has an air force headquarters, an operational command, five air bases, a logistics base, an air defense brigade, an air defense regiment and an ISR brigade. Reserve forces include one air base and two airfields. In 2022, the Romanian Air Force employed 11,700 personnel. The current chief of the Romanian Air Force Staff is Major general Leonard-Gabriel Baraboi, who succeeded Lieutenant general Viorel Pană on 29 November 2023. The Romanian Air Force
1273-528: The 2023 Vilnius summit . As part of this initiative, Romania is providing the necessary infrastructure of the 86th Air Base, the Netherlands provides the F-16 aircraft, and Lockheed Martin with its subcontractor Draken International provide the instructors and technicians. The European F-16 Training Center became operational in November 2023, and started training Ukrainian pilots in September 2024 after
1340-495: The 53rd Fighter Squadron were sent to intercept a Sukhoi Su-27 of the Ukrainian Air Force that was approaching Romanian airspace. The Su-27 was escorted to the 95th Air Base where the pilot was taken by Romanian authorities. The Ukrainian Minister of Defence , Oleksiy Reznikov , quickly apologized for this event and requested the return of the airplane and its pilot. After a maintenance team from Ukraine fixed
1407-621: The A Vlaicu I airplane at the Bucharest Army Arsenal which first flew on 17 June 1910. On 28 September during the Fall military exercise , Vlaicu flew his airplane from Slatina to Piatra Olt carrying a message, Romania thus becoming one of the first countries to use airplanes for military purposes. Along with other Romanian pilots, Vlaicu flew reconnaissance missions during the Second Balkan War . Vlaicu III ,
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#17327835797031474-1006: The A Vlaicu I was retired in 1914, leaving A Vlaicu III as the sole Romanian-made aircraft in the Romanian Air Corps . Also in 1916, the Anti-aircraft Defence Corps was formed and equipped with searchlights and locally converted anti-aircraft guns , which included the "Negrei" and " Burileanu " systems. During World War I , Romania acquired 322 aircraft from France and ex- RNAS aircraft from Great Britain including Nieuport 11 and 17 single seat fighters and Morane-Saulnier LA and Nieuport 12 two seat fighters, Caudron G.3 , Henry Farman HF.20 , Farman MF.11 , and Farman F.40 & 46 artillery observation and reconnaissance aircraft, Caudron G.4 , Breguet-Michelin BLM and Voisin LA bombers. On 16 September 1916,
1541-701: The Aero L-29 Delfin and Aero L-39 Albatros as the jet trainer of the Romanian Air Force . The aircraft is of semi-monocoque design, with tapered wings and a swept-back tail unit. A large blade-type antenna installed beneath the nose on the port side of the fuselage gives the IAR 99 trainer a distinctive appearance. The design of the aircraft started in 1975 and this would be the first jet trainer fully designed and built in Romania . In 1979 funding
1608-962: The Eastern Front , and in the defense of the country against Allied air raids , until 23 August 1944, bringing an important contribution to the great battles at Stalingrad , in Crimea , and the Ukrainian fronts. Between 1941 and 1944, Romanian aircraft won 2,000 air victories. The most famous flying aces were Captain Prince Constantin Cantacuzino , who gained 69 certified victories by the Romanian air victory standards , Captain Alexandru Șerbănescu , with 55 victories, and Captain Horia Agarici with 13 victories. In
1675-645: The French Air Force Mirage 2000 Cs of Escadron de Chasse 01.012 from Cambrai , which fulfilled the Baltic Air Policing since May 2007. Once the RoAF finished its three-month stint, a Portuguese Air Force detachment took over the mission. The four aircraft and most of the staff came from the 71st Air Base . A total of 67 personnel, among them nine pilots, were part of the detachment: 63 served at Šiauliai, while other four served at
1742-621: The Joint Primary Aircraft Training System program for the United States of America, although this work resulted in no orders. In 1991, aircraft number 712 was outfitted with Collins avionics and took part in a show in Ankara , Turkey. Aircraft 708, 709 and 712 were reconfigured to Standard and delivered to the Romanian Air Force. In 1996 the upgrade program of the IAR 99 was revived with the need for
1809-516: The L-39 Albatros' in service with the Romanian Air Force's training school. Thus, the Romanian Air Force will have 12 IAR 99 C Șoim (upgraded) and 11 IAR 99 Standard , with 7003 remaining with Avioane Craiova SA as demonstrator aircraft. In 2015, a consortium composed of Avioane Craiova , INCAS and CCIZ announced that an enhanced version of the IAR 99 called IAR 99 TD is under development. A single airframe will be built with
1876-468: The MiG 21 Lancer. The helmet guides the onboard weapons systems to the pilot's line of sight. The visor's display confirms when target acquisition has been achieved. The visor also displays the data from the HUD (Head-Up Display). Flight and navigation data are displayed on HUD, on the helmet DASH and MFDC (color multifunction displays ). Elbit is supplying the aircraft's advanced avionics suite installed on
1943-530: The National Meteorological Administration are used for both civilian and military purposes The Romanian roundel uses the colours of the Romanian flag . It is used on Romanian Armed Forces vehicles and Romanian Air Force aircraft. IAR 99 The IAR 99 Șoim ( Hawk ) is an advanced trainer and light attack aircraft capable of performing close air support and reconnaissance missions. The IAR 99 replaced
2010-486: The Romanian Air Force by 1989. Two were lost in the 1990s (numbers 710 and 714). In 1990 the fall of the Eastern Bloc created new export opportunities for the aircraft, but while the aircraft had excellent aerodynamic and handling qualities, it was left behind in its class because of its obsolete avionics , with upgrading becoming a priority. The first upgrade attempt was made in 1990 by I.Av.Craiova together with
2077-714: The Soviet Union on 22 June 1941, the Royal Romanian Air Force (ARR) had 621 airplanes, including its locally made fighter IAR 80/81 . The air force accomplished hundreds of missions, contributing to Romania's recapture of Northern Bucovina and Bessarabia , which had been occupied by the Soviet Union a year earlier. By the end of the Siege of Odesa , the Romanian military fighters claimed about 600 air victories. The Royal Romanian Air Force fought on
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2144-615: The UN sectors in the Mopti and Kidal regions. One IAR 330 was damaged in August 2020. It was located at the Douentza base when the helicopter was overturned by a storm. No injuries occurred as a result of the accident. In November 2022, it was announced that Romanian F-16s were to participate in the Baltic Air Policing missions between April and July 2023. The Carpathian Vipers detachment
2211-554: The armistice on 6 December 1917 following the Russian revolution . The Romanian Air Corps ended the war with 106–146 enemy aircraft shot down in total. Other victories were achieved in the Hungarian–Romanian War of 1919. According to the Romanian aerial victory standards , one pilot achieved the status of flying ace , Second lieutenant Dumitru Bădulescu who scored eight victories, of which three unconfirmed. When Romania, allied with Nazi Germany , went to war against
2278-561: The operational level of the military subordinated structures so that to be able to operate under authorized commands responsible for military operations planning and conduct. Generate, mobilize, structure, equip, operationalize and regenerate the required forces, provide the logistic support necessary to conduct military operations and based on higher orders, take over both the Joint Operation Air Component and independent air operations command and control, through
2345-579: The 572nd Helicopter Squadron was deployed to Mali as part of MINUSMA . The detachment consisted of four IAR 330L helicopters and 120 personnel deployed on two rotations which took part in MEDEVAC , CASEVAC , troop and materiel transport, air patrol, and reconnaissance missions. By the end of the mission to Mali, the detachment flew over 380 missions, of which approximately 100 transport missions, 200 reconnaissance missions, and 18 medical missions during which more than 40 patients were evacuated. It operated in
2412-590: The 86th Group at Borcea started to convert into a NATO compatible unit by making improvements to the base's infrastructure, allowing its pilots to fly a fair amount of training hours and work according to NATO procedures. During the period of reorganization, starting from the year 2000, other aircraft models such as the MiG-23 fighters, the Harbin H-5 bombers and the IAR 823 and L-39 Albatros trainers were retired,
2479-653: The Air Force dropped the communist era regimental system in favor of a system consisting of Air Bases, Groups and Squadrons. Due to financial constraints, being unable to purchase new fighers, the Romanian Air Force decided to invest in the upgrade of the MiG-21 fighters. Following a competition between several companies, the Israeli company Elbit was chosen, and the MiG-21M and MF/MF-75 versions were selected. The program
2546-592: The M6.5.2 Romanian configuration with US support before delivery. Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services provides support, maintenance and training of Romanian technical personnel. On 2 February 2022, the President of Romania stated the intent to purchase the fifth-generation F-35 joint strike fighter as part of its Air Force modernization. On 11 April 2023, CSAT approved the F-35 acquisition plan . The F-35 program
2613-500: The Main Air Operational Center. Starting with 1 July 2010, the Romanian Air Force bases were renamed to Air Flotillas. The names were kept until 1 December 2013, when they were changed back to Air Bases. The current structure of the Romanian Air Force is as follows: The Capu Midia Surface-to-air Training and Air-to-Surface Shooting Range provides firing training, execution and evaluation facilities. It
2680-588: The Russian invasion of Ukraine." An IAR 330 on a search and rescue mission for the missing MiG-21 crashed with seven fatalities. The eight servicemen who died in the two accidents were posthumously promoted and decorated by the president of Romania . Shortly after, fake news claiming that the Romanian MiG was shot down by Ukrainian S-300 missile systems appeared. These claims were officially refuted. The preliminary analysis published on 23 March showed that
2747-515: The Texas-based Jaffe Aircraft Corporation. Aircraft 708 and 709 were modified by installing Honeywell avionics, while the canopy was changed to a two-piece design instead of the original one piece. This change would be retained for all subsequent aircraft. 708 took its first flight on August 8, 1990, followed by 709 on August 22. The aircraft were displayed at the 1990 Farnborough Airshow , being proposed for
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2814-665: The aftermath of King Michael's Coup of 23 August 1944, Romania turned against Germany and joined the Allies . Between 24 and 31 August the ARR fought against the Luftwaffe , destroying 59 German aircraft. Continuing the campaign against the Axis , the Royal Romanian Air Force, organized in the 1st Air Corps , aided the Soviet and Romanian armies until 18 May 1945. The last victory scored by
2881-577: The air force, and in 1952, another 88 MiG-15 aircraft. In 1958, the first supersonic fighter MiG-19 entered the inventory. Three years later, in February 1962, a new fighter was added to the inventory, the MiG-21 , which represented one of the most effective fighters of that time. Starting in 1974, Romanian-made aircraft supplemented the already existing jets. The Romanian IAR-93 attack aircraft flew its first flight on 31 October 1974. It represented
2948-533: The air traffic control centre in Kaunas , to ensure smooth cooperation with local authorities. The Romanian detachment attracted attention from the local media, not least from the fact that it was only the second time a Soviet-era jet fighter was deployed to Šiauliai ( Polish Air Force MiG-29s had been deployed there first in 2006). From October 2019 to November 2020, the Carpathian Pumas detachment of
3015-473: The chief flight instructor and director of the school René Guillemin who was soon replaced by Michel-Paul Molla after an accident. Molla performed the first flight across Bucharest on 7 September 1910. The school closed in late 1912 due to financial difficulties, having trained six officers, but only licensed two. In November 1909, the Romanian Minister of War commissioned Aurel Vlaicu to build
3082-403: The contract to upgrade the remaining 10 IAR 99 Standard airframes in service with the Romanian Air Force. The upgrade, done by Avioane Craiova, was to be finished by 2024. However, due to several delays, the first aircraft was modernized in December 2023. The aircraft has a tandem-stepped dual-control cockpit equipped with Martin-Baker Mk 10 zero-zero ejection seats . The instructor's seat at
3149-656: The crashes occurred due to human and environmental factors. As of 13 December 2022, Romanian Air Force and allied aircraft took part in more than 150 air policing missions since the start of Russia's invasion. The majority of the missions involved Russian aircraft approaching Romanian airspace. Other missions involved coordinating civilian aircraft which had reported bomb threats or after their communications were interrupted. Four MiG-21 LanceR Cs were deployed from August–November 2007 at Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania for Baltic Air Policing . The Romanian detachment succeeded
3216-668: The deal was put on hold and canceled afterwards because of the defense cuts. In February 2010, CSAT signed an agreement with the United States for missile defence under whose terms land-based SM-3 systems would be installed in Romania. On 3 May 2011, the president of Romania Traian Băsescu announced the location for the SM-3 systems: former Air Force base Deveselu in Olt County . The system includes 3 batteries with 24 SM-3 Block I rockets, manned by approximately 200 US soldiers (with
3283-400: The early 1980s, the 67th Fighter-Bomber Regiment and the 49th Fighter-Bomber Regiment from Craiova and Ianca were equipped with new IAR-93s, which replaced old MiG-15s and MiG-17s. In December 1989, just a few days before the Romanian revolution against communism began, MiG-29 aircraft entered the Air Force inventory. Initially, 45 MiG-29s were ordered but only 21 were delivered, with
3350-428: The eve of Romania's entrance into the war in August 1916, only 24 out of the 44 aircraft that had been imported and assembled at Rezerva generală a aviației (RGA) were available. Another 20 aircraft were provided by the flight schools. These aircraft included Bristol T.B.8s , Bristol Coanda Monoplanes , Blériot XIs , and other Farman aircraft . One of the Vlaicu monoplanes, A Vlaicu II , crashed in 1913, while
3417-468: The first Romanian-manufactured helicopters entered service – the SA 316 Alouette III produced under lincense by IAR as the IAR 316 . Renewing the aircraft fleet process went on with the first MiG-23s arriving on 23 January 1979. On 14 May 1981, at 20:16, the Soviet spaceship Soyuz 40 was launched from Baikonur to perform a common Romanian-Soviet flight, with Lieutenant Dumitru Prunariu and Colonel Leonid Popov as commander on board. During
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#17327835797033484-487: The first metal aircraft in the world, was completed after his death, in May 1914. On 1 April 1913, the first law on the organization of military aeronautics was issued, thus forming the Military Aeronautics Service, later reorganized as the Romanian Air Corps in 1915. Organized as such, the Romanian aviation participated in the Second Balkan War, becoming the first air arm to perform operations over an enemy capital city , with leaflet drop missions flown over Sofia . On
3551-528: The first private operational airport in Romania and the first energetically independent airport in the world. This article about a European airport is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This article about a Romanian building or structure is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This article about transport in Romania is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Romanian Air Force The Romanian Air Force (RoAF) ( Romanian : Forțele Aeriene Române )
3618-417: The last three have entered service in 2017. Romania signed a contract in 2019 with Portugal for another 5 F-16 A/B Block 15 MLU fighters, which were delivered until March 2021. Another contract, announced in December 2021, for an additional 32 F-16s was signed with Norway for €388 million. The first delivery of Norwegian F-16s took place in 2023. Under the contract, the F-16s will undergo the modification to
3685-580: The latter of which was retired in 2007. Along with the retiring of airplanes, several bases were disbanded as well, including the Alexeni Airfield , the 49th Air Base from Ianca and the 91st Air Base from Deveselu . The 93rd Air Base from Timișoara was also disbanded and currently serves as an annex to the 71st Air Base. In the spring of 2009, the Romanian government decided to purchase VSHORAD / SHORAD systems from France. The deal included Mistral MANPADS and MICA VL surface-to-air missiles . However, after preliminary talks with MBDA in August,
3752-430: The legal period. The authorities expect the value of the investment needed at cca. €150 mil. The airport concession bid was announced again in December 2022, with eight potential investors who expressed interest. In 2024, the airport has been officially concessioned to a Romanian-Ukrainian joint-venture for a period of 49 years. The operator assumed the obligation to invest €400 mil and to open the airport in 2028. It will be
3819-399: The poor conditions of the infrastructure in the area. AllBucharest's low-cost flights were moved to Henri Coandă International Airport in March 2012. Ialomița County Council, which is the airfield's owner since 2017, launched the auction for the airport concession in August/September 2022, three potential investors expressed their interest, but no one submitted the tender offer at the end of
3886-417: The rear position is raised by 35 cm to provide better visibility. The canopy was made as a single piece (prototypes and planes 701–707), later changed to a two-piece canopy, both opening to the starboard side. The cockpit is equipped with HOTAS control and also LCDs (Liquid Crystal Display). Both the pilot and the instructor are equipped with a DASH Display and Sight Helmet which is currently deployed on
3953-425: The rest of the order being cancelled. The MiG-29s were assigned to the 2nd and 3rd Squadrons of the 57th Fighter Regiment located at the Mihail Kogălniceanu Airport . In 1990, the last MiG-15 fighters were retired from the 49th Aviation Regiment, located in Ianca. In 1992, production of the IAR-93 was stopped following the start of the Yugoslav Civil Wars . The last IAR-93s were retired in 1998. By 1 June 1995
4020-405: The technical issues of the fighter, the aircraft was returned without its weapons on 1 March, being escorted by two MiG-21 LanceRs to the border where other Ukrainian airplanes took over. On 2 March 2022, a MiG-21 LanceR was lost while on an air patrol inside Romanian airspace near Cogealac , 60 miles from the Ukrainian border. This "occurred amid increased air police missions in Romania after
4087-410: The young pilots. In July 2023, following a Supreme Council of National Defense (CSAT) meeting, the plan of hosting an F-16 training center in Romania was approved. The aim is for this center to become a regional training hub for Romanian and other allied fighter pilots, including Ukrainians . To support this decision, an international coalition of 11 nations, as well as Ukraine was formed during
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#17327835797034154-402: Was approved for building the first trainer by I.Av. Craiova where the IAR 93 attack aircraft was currently built. The prototype (S-001) flew on 21 December 1985 with Lt. Col. Vagner Ștefănel at the controls. S-002 served for static (ground) testing, S-003 being the second flying prototype (later re-serialled 7003). The aircraft entered series production in 1987, with 17 aircraft delivered to
4221-592: Was displayed at Paris in 1997 and Farnborough in 1998. On 6 August 1998, the Romanian Government approved the introduction into series production of the upgrade program for 24 IAR-99 Șoim out of which 4 were supposed to be delivered by 2001. The Romanian Ministry of National Defence signs a contract for those 24 aircraft on 20 April 2000, reducing that number to 12 on 14 December 2000. Only seven of these are to be new-built (numbers 719–725), and five upgraded from existing IAR 99 (numbers 709, 711, 712, 713, 717). These were delivered between 2003 and 2008, gradually replacing
4288-427: Was established 14 March 2023. It was formed by four F-16 and 100 servicemen primarily from the 53rd Fighter Squadron of the 86th Air Base, and was led by Commander Cosmin Vlad. The Romanian detachment was deployed together with a Portuguese detachment, taking over the Baltic Air Policing mission from the previous French and Polish detachments. The deployment ended on 31 July, with the Romanian F-16s being succeeded by
4355-436: Was first formed as the Military Aeronautics Service on 1 April 1913, transformed into the Romanian Air Corps in 1915. The Army -subordinated Air Corps was reorganized as the independent Royal Romanian Air Force on 1 January 1924, then converted to the present day Air Force in 1948. The Air Force went through a modernization plan in the 1990s and early 2000s, dropping the communist-era organization system in 1995 and adopting
4422-424: Was originally called the "DD program" as a tribute to the fighter pilot and writer Doru Davidovici , who died in a MiG-21 crash in 1989. The upgrade program was later renamed to "Lancer", designated as "LanceR" with capital "R" in Romania. The first flight of an upgraded MiG, a LanceR 'A' ground attack variant, took place on 22 August 1995. The Romanian MiG-29 fleet was also intended to undergo modernization under
4489-410: Was reorganized into the "Aerostation Company" which became part of the Military Aeronautics Service. On 20 November 1909, the Chitila Piloting School was formed as a joint venture by Mihail Cerchez. The school, conducted by French flight instructors, had five hangars, bleachers for spectators and workshops where the Farman airplanes were built under license. It was opened on 9 July 1910, led by
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