Defence Minister Mihnea Motoc said Friday that Romania made the best choice by purchasing F-16 aircraft, which he called a real critical capability that will strengthen the country's defence capabilities.
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"It is not just rhetoric when we say that Romania's joining the group of F-16 owners is truly historic politically and strategically speaking, a moment that is seen with interest - we already have signs that this is so - in our entire region and beyond. There is no doubt that Romania made the best choice when deciding to purchase these modern, updated, highly-performing F-16s (...). There is no doubt in my mind that what we have started taking over and operating of the F-16 wing resource is a really critical capability that will lead to the strengthening of Romania's defence capabilities," Motoc told a commissioning ceremony of the F-16s hosted by the Fetesti Air base.
He said Romania is on schedule as far as infrastructure works at the Fetesti Air Base is concerned, with all works completed.
"Additional infrastructure works will follow that will be conducted in a way allowing adequate guidance and operation for the F-16s when they become fully operational," said Motoc.
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He added that the F-16 infrastructure entailed a financial effort of roughly 11 million euros earmarked in time from the national budget, plus more than 20 million euros from NATO agency specialising in infrastructures.
Asked about the insurance of the aircraft, Motoc explained it is a different procedure from the one that applies to usual assets. "It is not insurance proper, but a set of rules and procedures we conduct to that end," said Motoc.
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