Romania cannot afford buying F-16 jets

Crisis-hit Romania cannot afford to purchase second-hand F-16 combat aircraft this year, Finance Minister Sebastian Vladescu said.

- There is no money for the F-16s, I can't see where we could get one percent of GDP (gross domestic product) in order to buy military equipment - Vladescu told Money Channel TV station.

- Such an expense is downright impossible at this moment - he added.

Romania had announced in March its decision to purchase 24 F-16 aircraft currently used by the US air forces, at a cost of 1.3 billion dollars (1.1 billion dollars), in order to replace its ageing, Soviet-made MiG Lancer jets.

The announcement triggered criticism from European groups Eurofighter and Saab, which stressed authorities should have issued a call for tenders.

Several opposition members also said buying fighter jets was not a priority for this country facing severe recession.

The Romanian government has adopted a draconian austerity plan including 25-percent cut in public sector wages and 15-percent reduction in pensions in order to curb its public deficit.