In order not to affect operational capacity of FAP, the pre-sale expenses will be fully supported by the revenue resulting from the sale to Romania.

The "estimated €130 million" will be allocated to "expenses inherent in the completion of the sale, namely the preparation of the aircraft configuration, general overhaul of engines, training, logistical support and a technical support team staying in Romania until 2023, as well as the modernisation of three F-16 aircraft obtained in the USA, the supply of parts and maintenance of the F-16MLU weapons system", explained the Government.

The total purchase price to be paid by Romania is not yet public.

The new sale contract to be signed will allow the strengthening of cooperation between Portugal and Romania, the sharing of technical skills and an increase in operational capacity of the Portuguese Air Force.

In July last year, the Ministry of Defence confirmed the sale of five more F-16s to Romania, advancing that the aircraft to be sold will leave Portugal’s skies and be replaced by others purchased from the USA and updated in Portugal.

Portugal had previously sold 12 F-16 planes to Romania. That sale included training around 84 Romanian military personnel, including pilots, technicians and mechanics between 2014 and 2018, the preparation and modernisation of the aircraft and a Portuguese training and support team to support the Romanian Air Force for two years.