A military exhibition for the Black Sea region is taking place now in ROmania - Bucharest. The main guest was the Eurofighter Typhoon - below -. The Grypen team was here too without planes.
Until recently Grypen was the main favorite for the purchase of 48 new planes but Eurofighter is now a serious contender. F16 are now out of discussion, I spoke to the PR officer from the Eurofighter team - the planes were from Aeronautica Militare Italiana - and he mentioned that EADS has received a request - for an offer of 8 two seaters and 40 one seater Batch 2/3 planes with Meteor Integrated and air ground capacity from the Romanian air force.
The decision will be made by 2008 with first deliveries soon after.
The romanian pilots with whom I spoke mentioned that although the Eurofighter is a plane with better potential, the Grypen - some of them have tested - was easier for maintenance and cheaper to use and more rugged.
In an additional pictures I'm sending you the Puma SOCAT, modernised anti tank helicopter of the Air force with fire and forget anti tank missiles, rocket pods, 20 mm gun, thermal, optical and laser designator, moving digital map, . The pilots are happy with this machine which can also carry up to 18 commandos and serve as a support helicopter, although it has no armor (it has flares and warning systems). The anti tank missile is called X8 by the Romanian, couldnt figure out what it was, it is not russian but apparently israeli technology adapted in Romania by Elbit. Maximum range is 8 km and they can also be used with optical fiber and joystick by the co pilot. Any ideea of what it can be ?
Until recently Grypen was the main favorite for the purchase of 48 new planes but Eurofighter is now a serious contender. F16 are now out of discussion, I spoke to the PR officer from the Eurofighter team - the planes were from Aeronautica Militare Italiana - and he mentioned that EADS has received a request - for an offer of 8 two seaters and 40 one seater Batch 2/3 planes with Meteor Integrated and air ground capacity from the Romanian air force.
The decision will be made by 2008 with first deliveries soon after.
The romanian pilots with whom I spoke mentioned that although the Eurofighter is a plane with better potential, the Grypen - some of them have tested - was easier for maintenance and cheaper to use and more rugged.
In an additional pictures I'm sending you the Puma SOCAT, modernised anti tank helicopter of the Air force with fire and forget anti tank missiles, rocket pods, 20 mm gun, thermal, optical and laser designator, moving digital map, . The pilots are happy with this machine which can also carry up to 18 commandos and serve as a support helicopter, although it has no armor (it has flares and warning systems). The anti tank missile is called X8 by the Romanian, couldnt figure out what it was, it is not russian but apparently israeli technology adapted in Romania by Elbit. Maximum range is 8 km and they can also be used with optical fiber and joystick by the co pilot. Any ideea of what it can be ?