Aircraft
Romanian LanceR Fighters Handed a Year's Reprieve
Delays in acquiring Norwegian F-16 fighters have led to Romania rescinding its decision to ground the MiG-21 LanceR fleet.
A Romanian Lancer C practises close-in air combat maneuvering with an F-16 from the Alabama Air National Guard during exercises in 2015. (Photo: U.S. Air Force)
A Romanian Lancer C practises close-in air combat maneuvering with an F-16 from the Alabama Air National Guard during exercises in 2015. (Photo: U.S. Air Force)

Following the announcement on April 15 that the Aerostar/Mikoyan MiG-21 Lancer fleet had been grounded following a spate of accidents and inflight emergencies, Romania’s Supreme Council of National Defense has reversed that decision, with operations of the LanceRs being resumed by the Forțele Aeriene Române (FAR, Romanian air force) on May 23.