The government approved on Thursday a bill for the purchase of 32 F-35 fighter jets, the Executive’s spokesman Mihai Constantin announced.

„A bill was approved and sent to Parliament in a fast-track procedure, proposing that the Government of Romania award the Government of the United States of America the ‘Offer and Acceptance’ contracts for the purchase of 32 F-35 aircraft, engines, munitions, initial logistic support, permanent access to the F-35 global support chain, equipment and aircrew training services, support staff and aviation technical staff, special regime cryptographic equipment, specialized assistance, as well as the realization of industrial cooperation projects consisting in the transfer of technology or products. The necessary funds shall be provided from the state budget, through the budget of the National Defense Ministry, through loans or loan guarantees offered by the U.S. Government, or through a combination of these options,” Mihai Constantin told a press conference at the Victoria Palace of Government.

Also, the proposal was made for the National Defense Ministry and the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism to conclude specific industrial cooperation agreements with the manufacturer of the F-35 aircraft, Constantin added.

AGERPRES