Real planes for real money

-- The Romanian government is to buy 48 multi-roll aircrafts for 3,5 billion Euro. Romania is to satisfy the US and don't make the EU angry.
The deadline for the subscription of offers to get the business of the century is over. The Romanian Ministry of Defense has got offers to purchase aircrafts like Eurofighter, F 16, F 18, JAS 39 Gripen and Rafale. The types selected are to replace the MiG 21 modernized by the Israelis.
The government is to make a decision after talking to the Parliament and the Supreme Council for National Defense. There are advantages and disadvantages for every plane to be used for at least 30 years. The Eurofighter Typhoon has got its qualities, but it costs twice as much as a JAS 39. The Swedish Gripen is a last generation achievement, but it hasn't been tested on battlefield. The F 16 is a war veteran, but conceived in the 70s.
The US claims that, once proceeding to such acquisition, Romania will join the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the US military's future assailant.
Teodor Melescanu, Romania's defense minister, is to talk to senators' defense committee tomorrow. In the meantime, the maintenance and flight costs for the 48 aircrafts will be over 10 billion Euro. It is to be reminded that a 10 million Euro commission was rumored for the acquisition of the two British frigates.

Doru Dragomir & M.B.
Ziua Luni 10 Septembrie 2007 http://www.ziua.net/english