F-35s at Russia’s Doorstep? Romania Is Ready: Vladimir Putin miscalculated in many ways during the Ukraine War. His military has performed dreadfully; he underestimated the determination of the Ukrainians, and he did not foresee that the NATO alliance would become more assertive and not weaker. One aspect of the war has been increased military spending among NATO members. Romania is one member investing more in defense, and now it will soon have F-35 stealth jets stationed close to Russia, jabbing another thorn in Putin’s side.
Romania Becomes a Part of F-35 Global Alliance
Lockheed Martin announced last fall that Romania would receive the F-35 and become the “20th member of the F-35 global alliance.” Romania is acquiring 32 of the fifth-generation jets.
Officially, this means that the Eastern European nation has signed a “Letter of Acceptance” for a foreign military sale approved by the U.S. State Department.
“We are pleased to welcome Romania into the F-35 enterprise,” said Lt. Gen Mike Schmidt, director and program executive officer of the F-35 Joint Program Office. “The integration of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft into the Romanian Air Force will significantly strengthen NATO’s deterrence capabilities by providing unmatched strategic, operational, and tactical advantages. The F-35 Joint Program Office is dedicated to continuing a strong relationship with Romania, ensuring a successful transition and providing comprehensive support for their pilots and maintainers as we move forward together on this great effort.”
Renewed Level of ‘Fighter Plane Diplomacy’
This deal is an example of “fighter plane diplomacy.” Twenty countries flying the F-35 is more than Lockheed Martin probably envisioned with the U.S. Department of Defense when it created the Joint Strike Fighter program.
Military sales of this magnitude can bring two countries closer together and show that the United States has confidence in the Romanian military. This agreement will require more material and assistance than just airplanes. The Romanians will need spare parts and maintenance training, and Romanian pilots will likely visit the United States to learn to fly the F-35. That’s fine with the Pentagon.
Give Romania a Large Loan for Military Purchases
The F-35 purchase is not the only way the United States and Romania increase ties.

F-35 Stealth Fighter. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
In September 2024, the U.S. State Department announced another promising development and an action that likely cemented the F-35 deal.
The United States will loan Romania a whopping $920 million in Foreign Military Financing to bolster defenses. Some of this will go toward the F-35 agreement, which will also allow the Romanians to buy more F-16s to integrate with the stealth fighters.
Plus, Romania can purchase M1 Abrams tanks for better ground warfare capabilities.
NATO Allies Are ‘Improving the Foxhole’
Russia could have never foreseen this development, and Putin must be frustrated that NATO allies keep “improving the foxhole” and bolstering their militaries for common defense and mutual security assurances.
If it comes to the negotiating table to end the war, Ukraine will also demand more security guarantees from the United States and NATO. Foreign military financing and sales are a big part of what they will require for peace.
This All Depends on the Trump Effect
The next steps with Romania will depend on the Donald Trump administration. The State Department, under new Secretary Marco Rubio, has frozen most international developmental aid through the agency USAID.

F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Image Credit: Lockheed Martin.
Does this mean military assistance would be halted, too? If so, that is a questionable decision that would hurt Romania, Ukraine, and other NATO members.
If the United States wants to operate from a position of strength in Europe, it must keep the purse strings open for allies. New Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth keeps repeating his mantra of making the U.S. military more lethal. With stronger allies and more fighter plane diplomacy, deterrence against Russia can be improved.
Hegseth will rely on the new nominee for Under Secretary of Defense for Policy nominee, Elbridge Colby to devise military strategy (if he gets confirmed). Colby believes that the priority for the Americans is to shift their focus to Asia and depend on the Europeans to provide for their defense. This means that future deals with NATO members for defense loans and sales of F-35s and Abrams tanks could be curtailed.
The Romanian military assistance agreement was constructed when Joe Biden was president, and he had a robust commitment to the alliance. It remains to be seen whether the Americans under Trump will grant the same level of support to countries like Romania when China poses the more significant threat, according to U.S. strategists.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Kristin Wolfe performs a demonstration in the F-35A Lightning II during at the Reno Air Races in Reno, Nevada, September 19, 2021. The F-35 Lightning II Demonstration Team is based out of Hill Air Force Base, Utah. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Nicolas Myers)
Thus, fighter plane diplomacy may focus more on Asia and not Europe. We’ll see how this “Pivot to Asia 2.0” strategy develops under Trump. It may mean that NATO members should place orders for F-35s as quickly as possible before military assistance to Europe becomes a thing of the past.
About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood
Brent M. Eastwood, PhD is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.

Mike
January 30, 2025 at 1:13 pm
lol will they be crashing?
Mick
January 30, 2025 at 4:34 pm
F35s no thanks and Trump is leaving Europe so Romania is screwed.
Raymond J Winfield
February 1, 2025 at 6:57 am
Yes, keep the pressure up on Russia, but remember Ukraine.
This conflict started when the US offered to install their missile “defence systems” to Ukraine.
Remember Cuba? They wanted defensive systems to protect themselves against the bullying US who wanted to continue to use little Cuba as a haven for gambling and prostitution. The world’s lickspittle press spoke of potential Cuban terrorism, but forgot to mention the real bullies were the US. (What’s new?)
You clearly forget to mention that many Russian soldiers didn’t really want to fight Ukraine as they regarded them as brothers, but that wasn’t, and still isn’t the real picture of Ukraine.
Many regiments in Ukraine are Nazi inspired and fully supported Hitler and Nazi Germany in WWII.
Check out the Azov regiment who still display Nazi symbol on their flags.
Push Russia too hard and Putin may have little choice left but to use the ultimate weapons.
NOBODY will come out of that one the victor.
Aaajimmy
February 2, 2025 at 2:40 pm
And Russia will simply blow those F 35’s to smithereens.