What fighter plane do you think Romania should use?

In the inter-war era there were plenty dubious armament deals made by high ranking officers, so it does not necessarily take a civilian to be incompetent or corrupt. The Chief of the General Staff should be the leader of the army and take care of the military matters, while the minister of defense and the parliamentary defense comitee should keep an eye on the spendings and supervise the military.

Victor is right.
BTW, it's not the MOD who single-handedly decides what type of arms to purchase. He only received suggestions from the military experts and decides mainly on political and financial grounds, namely if the proposal of the military (who always ask more than the budget permits) is viable or not.

Gen. Dénes

the military tend to be one of the worst money wasters one can imagine. a non-military veto-sayer provides the chance to limit the spending spree.

the military has never been an example for efficiency and cost-awareness, probably since most of the decision makers are military career people, never having worked in a *real* productive enviroment where efficiency and competitiveness is paramount for success.

a mechanism where a person, not infected by a militarylike moneywasting way of thinking, might just provide the cost control element a (democratic but not only)society needs to prevent the army from spending 50% of the GDP on various trinkets.

This post has been edited by dead-cat on September 30, 2004 04:56 pm

Romania needs to purchase a first rate fighter such as the Eurofighter, the SAAB J-39 Gripen or the Dassault Rafale. Maybe we could even get license production rights which would create jobs and perhaps lower the price of the fighters. We should only consider getting F-16's if they extemly cheap or free, and even then only so we can maintain a larger Air Force.

This post has been edited by Stephen on October 08, 2004 08:19 pm

I think that the SAAB JAS-39 Gripen would be the best choice for the Romanian Air Force. It is modern, reasonablely priced, first rate fighter and a reasonsble number; say 48 would give Romania the most powerful fighter in its region.

It could be license built in Romania and not only could Romania produce more when its ecomony recovers, but maybe; and I know I might reaching, IAR may be able to export them. That could ensure that Romania maintains its aviation industry, which is vital to its defense.

This post has been edited by Stephen on October 13, 2004 07:32 am

IAR Brasov never produced jets. The only airplanes they are building presently are IAR-46s (which if I am not mistaking are motor gliders). In rest they had concentrated on helicopters. You probably mean Aerostar Baccau or IAv Craiova.

Victor, you are right. They would not be assembled or built at IAR Basov, this would most likey be done by IAv Craiva, though I guess Aerostar is also possible.

I think given Aerostar's relationship with Lockheed Martin, Aerostar one day aqiure the license to the T-50/A-50 Golden Dragon. The T-50/A-50 are basically scaled down F-16's, a number of these cheap and effective lead-in/light fighters would be great boast to the Romania Air Force. In adition it would get export orders and bring in much needed currency.

As I said, IMO, the ideal fighter for Romania would be a continuation of the IAR-95 program even in cooperation with other interested countries. But since the chances for the reactivation of the program are almost zero, I would go with the JAS-39 as the best suited for the RoAF needs. However the decision will probably be a political one and it will depend on the next government, which will be formed in December 2004. It is hard to say now which fighter will be selected, but logic tells us that it will be a competition between the F-16 and the JAS-39.

The best for choice the Romanian Air Force would be the SAAB JAS-39 Gripen. I agree with Victor that it likey come down the F-16 and JAS-39 Gripen, I hope that Romania selects the JAS-39 Gripen. Given the downsizing that the Romanian Air Force has suffered since 1989, it needs the best Fighter that it can get its hands on. Finally Romania can get license production rights for the JAS-39; and needs to do so.

It is off topic (sorry!), but check this links:

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2004/10/19/041.html

http://www.mosnews.com/money/2004/10/18/brazilplane.shtml

Su-35, waw! Russia don't want some BAC 1-11 ?


Iama

Breaking news: the Rumanian military will purchase three IAR-99s and will pay for the upgrade of further five similar aircraft. The deal was awardec to Avioane Craiova and Elbit Systems and worths 43 million dollars (Mediafax).
Medifax

Lt. Col. Dénes

So, we have ... (?) SOIM and .... (?) modernised?

Is there a plan to put new engines in SOIM?

Iama

I came across some an interesting comparison chart on the Eurofigher website. It is a comparison of the main western planes vs. "an upgraded Su-27 Flanker (comparable to an Su-35 Super Flanker and its equivalents)" 50% equals parity. Should be a strong argument agaist the F-16 and maybe even the Rafale.

Link. http://www.eurofighter.starstreak.net/Eurofighter/tech.html

F-16 vs Grippen

http://www.f-16.net/f-16_forum_viewtopic-t-1029.html

F-16 vs Grippen vs Eurofighter <-- in German

http://www.airpower.at/news02/nfg_vergleich/avionic.htm

This post has been edited by Radu on November 24, 2004 04:30 am

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If will be an interesting comparition not only in BVR fight,but in same named dog-fight to(close combat),when count very much the maneuvreability.Must modern aircraft of great powers use the mobile efuzors to engine,to change more quick traction direction and encrease maneuvreability(F 22,F 35,SU-30,SU-35,MIG-MFI prototype,or a modernised variant of MIG-29).I hope if ever,our leaders decided to build our fight plaine(GOD help),a IAR 95 project continuation,to be on wave,and use most modern technics.I believe,for future,will be much better and less expensive than buy second or third hand F-16(who become more overpass with time),or foreign planes(JAS-39.etc.)for we dont have the technology and posibility to replaced quick if we have the need(in war situation,for example,but i hope will not be an option).

Like India's light fighter plane? We can use some technological help from our advanced big brothers ... NATO members. Maybe we have more and much cheap access to technology then India.

Iama