Romanian Air Force (2021)

Current Active Inventory: 140 Aircraft

Last Updated: 05/26/2021 | © www.WDMMA.org

The following represents an overview of the modern aerial fighting capabilities of the Romanian Air Force (2021). The service currently counts 140 total units in its active aircraft inventory. The WDMMA review takes into account specific categories of aircraft covering attack, logistics, special-mission, and general support types. Inventory numbers and related aircraft types / variants are provided as-is and derived from publically-available information / sources. "Outlook" results are related to any future airframes currently under procurement though said airframes may not be delivered for service in the current year for various reasons. "Readiness Rates" are based on the published USAF standard. Due to discrepancies regarding UAV reporting between countries and sources, unmanned vehicles are currently not tracked by WDMMA.

Total Aircraft: 140

70 / 140
Total available aircraft assuming a Below Average Readiness Rate of 50.0%.

98 / 140
Total available aircraft assuming an Average Readiness Rate of 70.0%.

105 / 140
Total available aircraft assuming an Above Average Readiness Rate of 75.0%.

112 / 140
Total available aircraft assuming an Excellent Readiness Rate of 80.0%.

TvR:
18.4

TvR is this air service's TrueValue Rating. The value is formulated by way of assessing an air service's current strengths and weaknesses. All are matched against the top-most performer, this being the USAF which yields a TvR of 242.9.

Global Rank:
63/100

This air service's Global Rank when compared to the rest of the national powers of WDMMA. A total of 100 air services from 74 nations are currently tracked. View the current ranking.

FORCE CONCENTRATION:
Attack: 26 units
Support: 73 units
Training: 41 units
Future: 92 units

Suppliers

Primary

Secondary

Historical

Fighters (26)

Airframes detailed as fighter, interceptor, or general attack types including multi-role though excluding dedicated bombers and CAS.

OUTLOOK

POSITIVE

17

MiG-21

Fighter-Bomber

9

F-16A

Multirole

Total Units: 26 (19%)

Threat Assessment:
Romania's longtime supplier, the Soviet Union, is long-gone forcing the nation to make strides with new alliances. This has meant greater integration with the West with the United States becoming a prime supplier. Beyond its holdover fleet of MiG-21 fighters, the fighter fleet consists of the more modern F-16 Fighting Falcon - which adds a useful (and proven) multirole capability. In Aug.2023 it was announced the country was moving towards procurement of 32 American F-35A strike fighters which will considerably boost the fighter fleet.

Helicopters (59)

Airframes detailed as manned rotary-wing platforms used in the transport, special-mission, or direct-attack roles.

OUTLOOK

POSITIVE

58

SA330

Transport

1

SA316

Light Utility

Total Units: 59 (42%)

Threat Assessment:
The helicopter fleet is well-sized for its role within the RAF. It is led by the proven French-made SA330 series which carries a multi-mission capability and has proven valuable in the troop-carrying role. A single SA316 provides a light utility / reconnaissance solution.

Transports (12)

Airframes used in the dedicated hauler role, serving either military or high-government personnel or in supply / cargo delivery.

OUTLOOK

STABLE

7

C-27J

Tactical

3

C-130H

Tactical

2

An-26

Tactical

Total Units: 12 (9%)

Threat Assessment:
The transport fleet is focused on the tactical level sortie which plays well into Romanian needs in the current decade. All available systems are proven and capable solutions in regards to troop-ferrying and cargo delivery - though overall fleet size is limited.

Trainers (41)

Airframes reserved for dedicated Basic, Advanced, Flight, and Helicopter airman training.

OUTLOOK

STABLE

18

IAR-99

Advanced Jet Trainer

14

Yak-52

Basic Trainer

6

SA316

Helicopter Trainer

3

F-16B

Fighter Trainer

Total Units: 41 (29%)

Threat Assessment:
The RAF trainer fleet is a well-balanced support group covering basic, advanced, helo, and combat training categories. Of note is the homegrown IAR-99 which was developed with an inherent light strike capability. Beyond this is a crop of proven, though aging, performers.

Special-Mission (2)

Airframes modified for Special-Mission roles - typically these are dedicated, role-specific types.

OUTLOOK

STABLE

2

An-30

Reconnaissance

Total Units: 2 (1%)

Threat Assessment:
The Special-Mission force is limited to just two examples of the An-30 and these are outfitted for the reconnaissance role. Some value is had through these offerings though, on the whole, the fleet remains restricted in capability when compared to regional rivals.

On Order (92)

Aircraft set to be delivered in the current procurement year or in subsequent year(s).

32

F-35A

Strike

24

AH-1Z

Attack

21

UH-1Y

Multi-Mission

15

H215M (AS332)

Medium Utility

Total Units: 92

Future Assessment:
The Romanian Air Force is set to wholly-modernize its rotary-wing fleet with its commitment to two American-made, wholly-modern helicopters - the AH-1Z Viper and the UH-1Y Venom. Both are top market value solutions and will broaden the helicopter force at the tactical level when proper numbers are reached in inventory. Beyond this is over a dozen examples of the French H215M which is another proven global commodity. The Special-Mission force is not addressed for the long-term. In Aug.2023 it was announced the country was moving towards procurement of 32 American F-35A strike fighters which will considerably boost the fighter fleet.

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