Economy Minister warns of accountability as Avioane Craiova delays defence aircraft delivery

At a briefing covering the first nine months of the fiscal year, Economy Minister Irineu Darău affirmed his belief that Avioane Craiova will soon fulfill its aircraft delivery contract with the Ministry of Defence, but he warned that the extended delays seen in state-owned enterprises must attract responsibility. He noted a series of deficiencies identified within the defence ministry itself and referenced a September audit that revealed multiple irregularities in Avioane Craiova’s handling of the programme, including delivery postponements, advance-payment issues, and weak internal controls.

Darău urged the boards selected by the Agency for Monitoring and Evaluating Public Enterprises (AMEPIP) to guarantee that their companies honor contracts, and he criticized the selection process for public-enterprise leadership. He also mentioned a recent legal challenge to a fine imposed on his ministry for procedural delays. The ongoing delays in modernising IAR-99 aircraft affect pilot training and the transition to newer fighter platforms.