US approves potential sale of F-35 aircraft to Romania

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US State Department approved a possible sale of F-35 aircraft to Romania for an estimated cost of $7.2 billion, the Pentagon said on Friday.

"The proposed sale will improve Romania’s capability to meet current and future threats by further equipping it to conduct self-defense and regional security missions while enhancing interoperability with the United States and other NATO members," it said in a statement.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the US by improving the security of a NATO ally, it added.

The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, located in Fort Worth, Texas.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification, notifying Congress of this possible sale on Friday.