Romanian prime minister Mihai Tudose signed yesterday an agreement with Jonathan Hoyle, deputy president of the US defense group Lockheed Martin, for the transfer of technology for the F16 aircraft, according to official sources cited by News.ro.

Representatives of Lockheed Martin met on Tuesday in Bucharest with the Romanian defense minister Adrian Tutuianu and heads of the military involved in the process of military equipment acquisition. Lockheed Martin specializes in the research, development, production and integration of advanced military technologies.

Update: Lockheed Martin said in a press release that there was no intention of signing an agreement during yesterday's discussions.

"During today's meeting, Lockheed Martin, as strategic partner for the national and NATO defense modernization program, discussed with the Romanian Government on how it would actively seek to promote industry and the academic environment in Romania by engaging in joint activities that could  include locating and supporting defense equipment, university research partnerships, and community projects. There was no intention of signing an agreement during today's discussions," reads the press release.

Romania has already committed to increasing its military spending to 2% of its GDP, and all major political parties pledged to support the defense strategy in 2015. Romania plans to buy more F16 fighter aircraft and modernize its frigates and equip them with torpedoes, which should be the most important military investments in the following years.

editor@romania-insider.com