“Why did the F-16 stay on the ground?”: Romanians are unhappy with the interception of the Tu-22M3 with the old MiG-21

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The head of the press service of the Ministry of National Defense of Romania, Colonel Konstantin Spanu, spoke in an exclusive interview with DefenseRomania about the reasons why not the new F-22s, but the old Soviet MiG-3 LanceR fighters were raised to intercept Russian Tu-16M21 bombers.

The statement was a reaction to the indignation of the Romanian public about the use of obsolete equipment in the presence of modern.



Spanu explained that the Romanian Air Force is carrying out "police missions" under the command of NATO with two types of aircraft - the F-16 and MiG-21 LanceR, which rise to intercept in accordance with the approved schedules.

On May 20, 2020, the MiG-21 LanceR of the Romanian Air Force was alerted and sent to escort two Russian long-range Tu-22M3 bombers, which were flying under the supervision of two Su-27 fighter aircraft of the Russian Air Force. This sparked a lively debate in Romania. Many residents of the country were unhappy that the F-16 remained on the ground. They believe that the Romanian Air Force is a "showcase of the state" and it is worthless to use outdated equipment in international missions.

Both types of aircraft are certified by NATO. When the MiG-21s are decommissioned and only the F-16 remains, only then will the F-16 rise exclusively

- emphasized Spanu.

After the interception by the Romanian Air Force, Russian Tu-22M3 bombers continued to fly in close proximity to the borders of the Alliance. Then they were accompanied by the MiG-29 fighters of the Bulgarian Air Force, watching the bombers from a distance.
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  1. -10
    23 May 2020 10: 32
    “Why did the F-16 stay on the ground?”: Romanians are unhappy with the interception of the Tu-22M3 with the old MiG-21

    And then the Tu-22M3, you might think, the plane of the future. laughing You can even shove new gadgets into the old Lada until tomorrow. He will add a maximum of 50 km per hour. And then the air breaks down. laughing Figuratively, of course. But that is, that is. MiG-21 was created when the Tu-22. And perfectly in harmony with each other. By the way, if the MiG-21 is stuffed with advanced technologies, it will be a hacky airplane. Yes But remembering my "50 km per hour," in the long run it is easier from this will not happen. This is a no-brainer that we need a new car ..
    Tu-22 long handle with protection abroad? Apparently, yes. Is there a weapon for safe use? Yes, there is. "Dagger" is the same. But the fact that there nafantazirovali showrooms, that's their problem. One Tu-22 will drive Romania, not even in the stone age, if need be. Yes
    1. 0
      23 May 2020 11: 04
      Tu-22M3 is not a carrier of the X-47M2.
      1. -4
        23 May 2020 11: 08
        Quote: Kristallovich
        Tu-22M3 is not a carrier of the X-47M2.

        You have very old information. wink
        1. +2
          23 May 2020 12: 08
          You have very old information.

          Not at all. It's just that you are guided by the private opinions of "experts" and your own conclusions. Neither one nor the other has nothing to do with reality.
          1. 0
            23 May 2020 12: 16
            Quote: Kristallovich
            You have very old information.

            Not at all. It's just that you are guided by the private opinions of "experts" and your own conclusions.

            Over the years, I most of all in this world trust only myself! wink Only a healthy ego around. Not to oblivion, I note, namely, a healthy cool selfish! And never is a good feeling did not fail me. You are very good, even my favorite sites monitor? IN, for example? And "Reporter", of course. We did not notice recently of information about the possibility of applying the "Dagger" less costly and more efficient vehicles than the MiG-31? ...bully
            1. +2
              23 May 2020 12: 18
              You only confirm my conclusion - rumors, gossip, assumptions ... Do not give your private opinion for the truth, my advice to you.
              1. The comment was deleted.
              2. 0
                23 May 2020 16: 51
                Quote: Kristallovich
                You only confirm my conclusion - rumors, gossip, assumptions ... Do not give your private opinion for the truth, my advice to you.

                Yes Do you feel better? A bunch of "Dagger" and our main air carriers is inevitable.



                Unless, of course, it's all bullshit! And no lies from the start! wink lol
                1. -1
                  24 May 2020 18: 29
                  Quote: Observer2014
                  Quote: Kristallovich
                  You only confirm my conclusion - rumors, gossip, assumptions ... Do not give your private opinion for the truth, my advice to you.

                  Yes Do you feel better? A bunch of "Dagger" and our main air carriers is inevitable.



                  Unless, of course, it's all bullshit! And no lies from the start! wink lol

                  Thanks for the video, watched the whole family!
        2. +1
          24 May 2020 23: 44
          Tu-22M3 is not a carrier of the X-47M2.

          You have very old information.

          It is possible, in principle, to make the Tu-22 M3M a carrier, they are thinking about it, but then the maximum range of the missile will be slightly less than when launching from the MiG-31, due to the lower ceiling and speed of the Tu-22M. If you neglect this, then yes. But for now, each complex has its own tasks.
    2. -2
      23 May 2020 11: 08
      And then the Tu 22M3, you might think, the plane of the future.

      Well, in any case, the TU-22M3 aircraft is more modern than the F-16. 25 years ago, the decommissioned Tu-22M2 are the same age as the F-16. Not to mention the MiG-21.
      Tu-22M3M still fly and fly. And F-16, even in the form of F-21, no one needs.
      1. -3
        23 May 2020 11: 10
        Quote: boriz
        And then the Tu 22M3, you might think, the plane of the future.

        Well, in any case, the TU-22M3 aircraft is more modern than the F-16. 25 years ago, the decommissioned Tu-22M2 are the same age as the F-16. Not to mention the MiG-21.
        Tu-22M3M still fly and fly. And F-16, even in the form of F-21, no one needs.

        For God's sake. Yes Yes. That's all you wrote. Yes. Yes laughing May I have one question for you? What do you mean?
  2. +2
    23 May 2020 11: 12
    Soon they will write about every flight of the pan in the army canteen?
    1. -2
      23 May 2020 11: 21
      Quote: Sergey Latyshev
      Soon they will write about every flight of the pan in the army canteen?

      So let them write. Why are we here? Discuss articles after all. Want - you write. We discuss. We speculate. Yes
  3. -5
    23 May 2020 12: 15
    “Why did the F-16 stay on the ground?”: Romanians are unhappy with the interception of the Tu-22M3 with the old MiG-21

    - Yes, that's right, the Romanians are outraged ... - Our MiG-21 is an excellent fighter ... - it's even strange that he remained somehow "underestimated" ... - it seems that he has all the excellent data and weapons (however, our unsuccessful air-to-air missiles continue to nullify everything); but he's somehow unsuccessful in battles ... - He was shot down too much, and moreover, in air battles; and not just anti-aircraft fire ...
    - For example ..: the same F-16 (also a beautiful fighter) for some reason everywhere looks much more successful ...
    - They, these F-16s, were ever shot down in air battles ... with anti-aircraft fire they were shot down and repeatedly; But was at least one F-16 shot down in an air battle ??? - Personally, I didn’t try to find data about this ... - I didn’t find it ... - they put up some unproven bravura rubbish ... - but they cannot provide facts ... - If someone has the data ...- please provide ...- very interesting ...
    - Well, here the Romanians were dissatisfied that they were covered by a not very successful fighter; and they wanted to see more successful ...
    - Then the Turks already raised their F-22s to meet our Tu-3M16 ...
    - And after all, the Turkish F-16 shot down our Su-24 in 2015 and absolutely with impunity ...- as in a dash ...
    - And the same F-16 just recently, in March of this year 2020 ... already shot down the Syrian Su-24 ... - and also with impunity ...
    - All this looks extremely disgusting, disgusting and po_ga_ne_n_ko ...
    - But the "results" speak for themselves ...
    1. -4
      23 May 2020 12: 24
      gorenina91

      “Why did the F-16 stay on the ground?”: Romanians are unhappy with the interception of the Tu-22M3 with the old MiG-21

      - Yes, that's right, the Romanians are outraged ... - Our MiG-21 is an excellent fighter ... - it's even strange that he remained somehow "underestimated" ... - it seems that he has all the excellent data and weapons (however, our unsuccessful air-to-air missiles continue to nullify everything); but he's somehow unsuccessful in battles ... - He was shot down too much, and moreover, in air battles; and not just anti-aircraft fire ............

      laughing good drinks It's just a million! good
    2. +1
      24 May 2020 15: 28
      Don't write nonsense. There is no such thing in aviation - lucky / unlucky, full of crap. Then the Su-15 and the same Swedish Wiggen J-37 are generally invincible aircraft, right? Everything always depends on the type, location, provision and professionalism. For example, a pilot who flew on a Su-15 and retrained on a Su-27 (that is, to put it mildly, experienced), when transferring back to the Su-15, a young captain who flew only on the Su-27, will finish in the WB, as he wants and in a particularly perverted form. And there were similar precedents, on different types by analogy. And yours - as in a shooting range, as in a training battle, etc. Do you know how in a training air battle and how in a shooting range that - straight from the kitchen ??? Or do you have another "specialist" in the newspaper, like Evgen Damantsev on VO, scribbled "analytics"?
  4. +2
    24 May 2020 11: 08
    Romania can not afford the operation of even the outdated American F-16.
  5. +1
    24 May 2020 23: 27
    Why did the F-16 stay on the ground?

    Screwing up on the old MIG 21 was less shameful.