ROMANIAN AIRFORCE
( 1995. )
The times of Nicola Ceausescu's dictatorship brought significant changes in the
Romanian Airforce. At first the flying hours were decreased dramatically and
were downed to 20-25 hours a year. The aircrafts often were forced to stay on
the ground due to lacking of fuel. On the other hand there were good influences
of this period, as well. Although Romania were member of the former Warsaw Pact
they managed to establish and maintain an independent aircraft industry so they
produced/produce all of their attack aircrafts and helicopters on their own.
Thanks to Ceausescu's policy Romania purchased Il-28 R reconnaissance
aircrafts from China.
The situation of the Romanian Airforce
The situation of the pilots changed for the better considerably after the
political changes in Romania. The annual flying hours which stagnated for a
long time at a level of 20-25 hours were increased significantly and the
quality of pilot training got more importance.
Currently operating types
- fighter aircrafts
- 1 squadron MiG-29 A/UB
- 3 squadrons MiG-23 MF/UB
- 9 squadrons ( approx. 150 ) MiG-21 MF/PF/PM/UM
- bomber/reconnaissance aircrafts
- 1 squadron MiG-21 RF
- 1 squadron Hong-5 R ( Il-28 R )
- 2 squadrons Iar-93
- training aircrafts
- 2 squadrons Iar-99
- 2 squadron ( 35 ) L-29
- 2 squadron ( 34 ) L-39 ZA
- helicopters
- Iar-330 ( Puma licence )
- Iar-316 ( Alouette III licence )
The units of the Romanian Airforce
47th Fighter-bomber Regiment - Craiova
The unit operates 1 squadron MiG-21, 2 squadrons Iar-93 ( Romanian made attack
aircraft similar to the Jaguar ) and 2 squadrons Iar-99 ( new Romanian made
jet trainer )
Current type
- 1 squadron MiG-21
- 2 squadron Iar-93
- 2 squadron Iar-99
57th Fighter Regiment - Constanta
This unit is the favourite unit of the airforce and based at the Mihail
Kogalniceanu airbase near Constanta. In the past they were prepared to stop
any attack from the direction of Turkey. This unit was always the first one
to get the new types. The regiment the only one today in the airforce which
operates MiG-29 aircrafts. Beside the MiG-29 squadron they have 2 squadrons
MiG-23, as well.
Current type
- 1 squadron MiG-29 A/UB
- 2 squadrons MiG-23 MF/UB
93rd Fighter Regiment - Oradea
The unit near Oradea operates 1 squadron MiG-23 and 2 squadrons MiG-21. It is
the only base in the airforce which has hardened concrete hangars but as there
are only a few one they only accommodate the MiG-23s and the other planes are
stored under the bare sky. The interest of this unit is that here operates the
only one MiG-21 RF reconnaissance squadron.
Current type
- 1 squadron MiG-23 MF/UB
- 1 squadron MiG-21 MF/UM
- 1 squadron MiG-21 RF
Bacau Airbase
This regiment operates 3 squadron MiG-21. One of these squadrons is a MiG-21
retraining squadron while the other two squadrons operate the PF and PM
variants of the MiG-21.
Current type
- 1 squadron MiG-21 UM ( ? )
- 1 squadron MiG-21 PF/UM
- 1 squadron MiG-21 PM/UM
Borcea Airbase
In Borcea there are 2 squadrons MiG-21 and 1 squadron Hong-5 R. The Hong-5 R is
a Chinese produced Il-28 R reconnaissance aircraft which was purchased from
China for return the considerable co-operation. Beside the MiG-21 RF aircrafts
this type is the other reconnaissance type of the Romanian Airforce.
Current type
- 1 squadron Hong-5 R
- 2 squadrons MiG-21
Cluj Luni Airbase
The unit which is based in the NE of the country operates MiG-21 aircrafts.
Current type
Romanian Military Flight Academy - Boboc
In 1991. all of the airforce's training aircrafts were concentrated to the
academy. So this is the home base of the L-29 and the L-39 type jet trainer
aircrafts.
Current type
- 2 squadrons ( 35 ) L-29
- 2 squadrons ( 34 ) L-39
Losses
The losses of the Romanian Airforce between the January and the October of
1994. were the followings.
06 January | Iar-330 | 6 died, 1 wounded |
01 March | MiG-29 | 1 died |
10 March. | MiG-23 UB | 2 ejected |
24 May | MiG-21 | 1 died |
29 June | MiG-21 | 1 ejected |
09 August | MiG-23 MF | 1 ejected |
29 September | MiG-21 | 1 ejected |
14 October | MiG-21 | 1 died |
Pilot training
Roman military pilots are trained in the Romanian Military Flight Academy
which is based at Boboc.
Admitted students get a 40-50 hours training with propeller driven aircraft
in Focsani before getting to the academy.
Once in the academy students start with theoretical basics in the firs year.
In the second academic year students start practical training with more and
more difficult aircrafts. In this stage of training students may become a
air controller, meteorological officer or other type officer of the airforce.
In the third year students are divided into fighter, bomber, transport and
helicopter pilots. In the followings everyone gets the training with the most
suitable aircraft for his task. After finishing the fourth year pilots get
to their combat units and get the training for the type which is currently
operated by their units.
Some 70 students leave the academy as a young pilot every year. These pilots
speak not just Russian language but English, as well.
Changes
Romania takes part in the Israeli MiG-21 modernisation project. Romania plans
the modernisation of 100 MiG-21 MF aircrafts till the year of 1999. The project
is on his way in Romania in the aircraft factory of Craiova and this factory
will take part in further MiG-21 modernisations for foreign countries too.
Beside the MiG-21 project Romania such other former Warsaw Pact countries is
heading to change its older aircrafts to a modern western multirole aircraft.
In fact also French Mirage 2000, the Swedish JAS-39 Gripen and the American F-16
is in the competition here like in the other markets. Maybe the French Mirage
has a little advantage in this competition due to the traditionally good
relationship between the French and Romanian aircraft industry.
In the June of 1995. Romania made a 1 billion $ contract with the American
Bell Helicopter Textron company. According to this contract the production of
96 UH-1 F attack helicopter for the Romanian Airforce will start in 1999. in
Brasso, Romania.
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