The Romanian Air Force (RoAF) has had to restructure itself since the end of the ‘Cold War’ and the fall of President Nicolae Ceausescu in December 1989. By the mid 1990’s and with Romania’s economy improving and an eye on joining NATO (Romania eventually were accepted as a NATO member on April 1, 2004), the decision was made to upgrade 110 (later increased to 114) of its MiG-21M/MF/UM jet fighters. The MiG-21’s were originally delivered by Russia between 1969 (MiG-21M), 1972 (MiG-21UM/MF) and 1975 (MiG-21MF-75). An agreement was drawn up between Aerostar at Bacau in Romania and the Israeli Company Elbit who were to manage the upgrade program.

 

The MiG-21 LanceR Program
The LanceR (Lance for weapon and R for Romania) upgrade program was designed to increase of the combat capability and eventually NATO interoperability, through the installation of an advanced avionics package. The upgrade was to be compatible with the packages installed on 5th generation combat aircraft. Improvements to the aircraft included an improved pilot-vehicle interface (PVI) in the cockpit redesign, enhanced warning systems and the ability to operate at night and during adverse weather conditions. The upgrade enabled the use of both Western and Eastern weapons, together with an increase of the survivability within a hostile environment during air combat with the installation of a new self protection system.

Three variants of LanceR were planned to go into service; the LanceR-A which was a single seat fighter-bomber for Close Air Support, the LanceR-B a two seat trainer and the LanceR-C which was a single-seat interceptor for Air Defence.

The first prototype MiG-21 LanceR-A (9809) was flown on August 22, 1995, followed by the LanceR-B (327) on May 6, 1996. The LanceR-C prototype (6607) first flew on November 6, 1996. By the end of the upgrade program in 2003, 114 MiG-21’s (40% of all RoAF MiG-21’s in service at the start of the program) had been upgraded to LanceR standard. The last remaining MiG-21PFM, MiG-21R and MiG-21US variants had all been withdrawn from service by 2003. The first LanceR squadron was formed at Bacau on May 8, 1997.

 

The LanceR fleet is now the backbone of the RoAF, performing air defence, close air support and training roles. The aircraft is unusual in now being able to carry both Eastern and Western armament. The LanceR was cleared for missiles such as the R60, R73 and Python 3 IR air-to-air missiles, 250lb and 500lb bombs, laser guided bombs (LGB), targeting and ECM. Some of the Lancer-A’s were also equipped with Rafael Litening targeting pods or Elbit/Aerostar Airborne Reconnaissance Pods. The LanceR’s have now participated successfully in many NATO exercises. The upgraded aircraft have demonstrated greatly improved readiness levels, over their previous status, and comparable to other NATO members.

 

The Romanian Air Force currently operates six squadrons of LanceR’s from three air bases; Baza 71 Aeriana at Câmpia Turzii with 711 and 712 Squadron, Baza 86 Aeriana at Borcea-Fetesti with 861 and 862 Squadron and Baza 95 Aeriana at Bacau with 951 and 205 Squadron which is the training unit. The LanceRs are planned to be withdrawn by 2011 and replaced by new fighters. As an interim measure it is expected that Aerostar and Elbit will again work together to upgrade and supply former Israeli Air Force F-16A/B’s to carry beyond-visual-range weapons and guided air-to-ground munitions.

 

An ageing transport fleet
As part of the 1995 restructuring of the Air Force, the 90th Transport Base was formed and in 1996 "Comandor Aviator Gheorghe Banciulescu" was added to its title. Moving towards NATO interoperability two Lockheed C-130B Hercules were delivered in October 1996, two more were added in the following year. An ex-Italian Air Force C-130H joined the fleet in 2004. Also in 2004 the 61st Helicopter Regiment was transferred to the 90th Transport Base, with a compliment of IAR.330 Puma SOCAT becoming the 904th and 905th Squadron. IAR.330L’s of the 903rd Squadron are responsible for MEDEVAC operations. From 2004 many missions were performed outside Romania’s border including; ‘Enduring Freedom’ in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other humanitarian missions. Also ‘ALTHEA 2005′ in Bosnia-Hertzegovina as Alpha Detachment.

90th Transport Base (Baza 90 Aviatie de Transport ‘Gheorghe Banciulescu’) is currently comprised of; 901st Transport Squadron (901 Escadrila de Transport) with the Lockheed C-130B/H Hercules, 902nd Transport and Reconnaissance Squadron (2 Escadrila de Transport/Recunoastere) with An-24RT, An-26, and An-30, 903rd Squadron (903 Escadrila) with the IAR-330L Puma, 904th Squadron (904 Escadrila) with the IAR-330 Puma SOCAT, 905th Squadron (905 Escadrila) with the IAR-330 Puma SOCAT.

 

The IAR.330 Puma a helicopter with a bite
The IAR.330 Puma was license built in Romania from 1977 with 104 produced by IAR SA Ghimbay near Brasov. 24, plus another six, were upgraded for a transport and attack role. The SOCAT project enlisted the participation of Elbit systems from Israel. The IAR.330 SOCAT (Sistemul Optoelectronic de Cautare si Lupta Anti-Tanc - the Optoelectronic Anti-Tank Seek and Combat System) system claims technology more advanced than the AH-64 Apache’s, especially regarding the cannon and targeting systems. It includes; a target acquisition and weapons control system, and an Electro Optical Pod (EOP) with Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR) with a laser range finder. The MIDASH Helmet Mounted Displays and Helmet Mounted Sight System with two image intensifier’s, enables the pilot to ‘follow’ the missiles to their targets. Night vision goggles give the helicopter night-fighting capacity with self-defence taken care of by chaff and flare dispensers. Apart from Close Air Support (CAS) missions the SOCAT Puma is designed for the Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) role.

Basic flying training
Boboc is the 20th Air Base and the Air Force Application School ‘Aurel Vlaicu’, (Baza Aeriana 20 Şcoala de Aplicatie a Fortelor Aeriene ‘Aurel Vlaicu’ (S.A.p.F.A.)) The Aviation Officers School ‘Aurel Vlaicu’ was formed in 1953 and moved to Boboc in 1958. The 1989 Revolution meant that the communist training ideology was abandoned in favour of more western methods. In 1991 the Military Aviation School ‘Aurel Vlaicu’ became Military Aviation Institute "Aurel Vlaicu". The school now produces military aviation officers with technical engineering skills, pilots for military and civil aviation, air traffic controllers and meteorological officers for all aviation units. At the time of our visit to Boboc the airfield was being upgraded to NATO standard. The runway in particular needing repair, the work should be completed in 2007. The only aircraft active were the Antonov An-2R’s of 202 Squadron and the IAK-52’s of 201 Squadron. 203 and 204 Squadrons with their IAR.99’s were temporarily based at Lanca but have now moved to Bacau.

 

An-2
Described as the world’s largest biplane, the prototype Antonov An-2 first flew on August 31, 1947. Production continued into the 1960’s with many being manufactured in Poland and China. It is estimated that around 15,500 were built in total. The An-2 can fulfil a number of roles from light and VIP transport to crop-dusting. The Romanian Air Force received at least 24 An-2’s with deliveries between 1977 and 1982. They are currently used for paratrooper training and liaison duties. The An-2 has a crew of three and can carry ten passengers, reduced to six to eight when in a VIP configuration. Only seven An-2R’s appeared in service out of the 16 aircraft at Boboc.

 

Iak-52
201 Squadron was formally the 21st Basic Training Squadron and is tasked to provide basic training for future helicopter and fixed wing pilots of the Air Force Academy at Boboc. The unit moved to Boboc in October 2003 from Brasov. They use the IAK-52, which is the Romanian designation of the Yakolev Yak-52, which were built under license by Aerostar SA at Bacau. The first Iak-52 took to the air on May 20, 1978 and entering service with the RoAF in 1985. Of the 1,800 built in Romania most went to the USSR, but at least 30 are known to have served with the RoAF. Around 16 IAK-52 are still in service.

 

IAR.99
The IAR.99 was designed from 1975 to replace the L-29 Delfin. The RoAF started receiving the IAR-99 jet trainer from 1989 from Avioane Craiova. 17 were initially delivered (serials 701 to 717) and operated with the 67th Fighter Bomber Group/67th Advanced Operational Training and Flight Test Center based at Craiova, it was later disbanded in 2002. In 1997 a further four upgraded aircraft known as IAR-99C Soims were supplied (718-721). In 2004 Avioane Craiova and Elbit Systems were contracted to produce eight IAR-99C Soim’s. These aircraft will be used both as a trainer and for Close Air Support missions. They have been upgraded the Elbit Systems Advanced Combat Training System to assist in the transition to the upgraded MiG-21 LanceR.

Recently a number of upgraded IAR-99’s were operating with the Scoala de Aplicatie a Fortelor Aeriene (S.A.p.A) at Boboc before they were forced to move to Bacau to allow much need runway repairs to be carried out at their home base.

Onwards and upwards
Currently a reform plan named ‘Objective Force 2007′ is in operation, following on from ‘Programme Force 2003′. Romania is working towards an optimum level of military hardware and personnel to take them forward within NATO and to be able to provide a rapid reaction force. Working with NATO, Romania has a Membership Action Plan (MAP), which focused on increasing the interoperability, deploy ability and sustainability of its forces earmarked for peace-support operations. Romania is restructuring its military away from large, heavy Warsaw Pact-era forces toward smaller, light and more mobile units that will be better able to serve in NATO operations in the future.

The RoAF is now looking to replace its LanceR’s further down the line and is looking at the Gripen, Eurofighter and Rafael. Alenia Aeronautica have been demonstrating the C-27J Spartan and look to secure an order, as the RoAF are looking to buy the aircraft to replace the An-24, An-26 and An-30 transport aircraft by end of 2007. The Romanian Air Force may have downsized considerably in both aircraft numbers and operational air bases but it still is very important member of NATO and with plans for further acquisitions it looks like their status can only be enhanced in the future.

 

Source: Target Aviation Photography - Philip Stevens
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