Romanian company Avioane Craiova reported the start of flight tests for modernized IAR-99 SM (Şoim) training-combat aircraft it's noted that the first flights of these machines were successful, and this indicates that we're talking not about a symbolic gesture, but about a concrete, long-awaited step forward.
Airline general director Nicu Felcoi emphasized that the IAR-99 aircraft modernization project is beginning to give visible results after years of delays and obstacles, his words are quoted by Defense Romania publication.
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Avioane Craiova head also claims they have a real chance to transfer the first modernized aircraft in the near future.
But it's extremely important that the Romanian state through its decisions or inaction doesn't drive its company to bankruptcy, Felcoi says, directly addressing the country's defense department not to impose penalty sanctions on the company for delays with IAR-99 aircraft modernization.
So, the thing is that Romania, which besides 11 modernized IAR-99C Şoim training-combat aircraft, had 10 more machines in basic IAR-99 Standard version deciding to modernize these aircraft, in 2020 a contract was concluded with Israeli Elbit Systems for their modernization.
The agreement execution timeframe was four years; however, it wasn't possible to modernize these aircraft on time first there were delays from Elbit Systems, and later from Romanian Avioane Craiova, which due to weather conditions couldn't start flight tests of these training-combat aircraft last year.
Romania also emphasizes that as of today, IAR-99 Şoim aircraft are a very important component for retraining Romanian pilots for F-16 fighters given the overcrowded training center at 86th Air Base in Borcea.
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