Substandard Kerosene Scandal Rocks Romanian Air Force: Brothers Face Serious Charges
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A major scandal involving substandard kerosene supplied to the Romanian Ministry of National Defense (MApN) has led to serious charges against Cristian and Dan Berendel, brothers who run SC Jetfly Hub SRL. In summer 2022, DIICOT ploiești prosecutors sought their preventive arrest on charges of diversion—a rare offense in Romania carrying a 10-20 year prison sentence—and the establishment of a false criminal group. Thes accusations stem from the alleged supply of substandard aviation fuel, impacting national security.
The Ploiești Court of Appeal and the High Court of Cassation and Justice rejected the request for preventive arrest, citing the prosecutors’ failure to definitively link faulty fighter aircraft to the poor-quality kerosene delivered by the Berendel brothers’ company in July 2022. Adding to the mystery, the case file has disappeared from the court portal. DIICOT,usually a vocal prosecutorial body,has not issued a press release on this matter.
The Contract and the Kerosene Deliveries
On Feb. 27, 2018, SC Jetfly Hub SRL signed a four-year framework agreement (No. A1784) with the MApN to supply aviation turbine fuel. The contract specified two types of kerosene: jet A1 and Premium Jet, differing primarily in their freezing points (-47 degrees Celsius for Jet A1 and -53 degrees Celsius for Premium Jet). Extensive correspondence between the MApN and the company regarding fuel specifications is documented in the case file.
An initial kerosene shipment from Greece on March 1, 2018, met the mapn’s quality standards. “Simply put, to present credibility and to gain the confidence of the purchaser, at the beginning of the contract, the representatives of the supplier have fulfilled their contractual obligations,”
the DIICOT indictment states. However, five subsequent deliveries in June 2018 failed to meet the required specifications.
Investigators discovered that this fuel originated from a vessel that had docked in Constanța on Oct. 5, 2017, violating a contractual clause requiring products to be manufactured no more than six months prior to delivery. Moreover, this kerosene did not meet the required -53-degree Celsius freezing point. “It was found, thus, that the parameters are not even specific to the Jet A1 type fuel, given that they do not contain the two compulsory additives, respectively the non-hydroprocessed components were with the value 100 rather than 0, the more the imposed parameters are reached. For the JET fuel of premium,”
the DIICOT file notes.
MAPN’s Response and the Grounding of MIG-21 Lancers
Following several deliveries of substandard fuel between Dec. 21, 2018, and Jan. 18, 2019, the MApN notified Jetfly hub SRL of the non-conformities and demanded a change of supplier. By May 2021, the company had switched to supplying fuel from Rompetrol, which met the required standards. These later deliveries are not part of the inquiry.
however, the use of substandard fuel for nearly two years resulted in damage to several MIG-21 Lancer aircraft, necessitating repairs at Aerostar SA bacău, a specialized military aircraft repair facility.The mechanics at Aerostar Bacău issued a stark assessment: “Damaged fuel pumps and engines that coudl not be stopped and to avoid the risk of unwanted events,it is necessary to perform a complete analysis of the supplied oil quality.”
They also noted metallic swap in a fuel filter at the Câmpia Turzii unit, attributing it to the poor quality of the fuel. Despite this, the court deemed this insufficient evidence, prompting DIICOT to request further technical expertise.
On April 15, 2022, the MApN grounded all MIG-21 Lancer aircraft following a series of accidents. “The measure was taken in view of the considerable incidence of aviation events and accidents registered during the exploitation of MIG 21 Lancer aircraft, resulting in several victims and damaged or destroyed aircraft, in order to improve the aeronautical safety and to prevent aviation events and accidents. By reducing the risks associated with the technical faults,”
the MApN stated. This decision followed a March 2022 incident where a MIG-21 Lancer disappeared from radar, resulting in a tragic loss of eight lives (seven soldiers and a pilot).
DIICOT’s Accusations and the MApN’s Response
DIICOT estimates the damage to the MApN at 32,553,147.19 lei (approximately $6.7 million USD), representing the cost of the substandard fuel. Investigators contend that the damage to the military aircraft compromised Romania’s defense capabilities and posed a threat to national security, leading to the diversion charges. “This means, including, the destruction, degradation or bringing in a state of question in whole or in any way, by any way, of means of transport or any other goods, if the deed endangers national security.However, the military fighting aircraft that have suffered serious degradation due to the supply, during the criminal period, with an inadequate aviation turbirector represent goods of strategic interest, whose damage was a threat to the national security and the defense capacity of the country, All the more so the notoriety is that within the North Atlantic Alliance, Romania has assumed its insurance The security of the eastern flank of NATO,”
the case file states.
However, the MApN, in an October 2022 statement, denied that the grounding of the MIG-21 Lancers was due to fuel quality issues, stating that “Between 2018-2021, the coefficient of technical availability of the MIG 21 Lancer aircraft ensured the execution of the entire range of missions, including those of air police, according to the destination of this type of aircraft. During the reference period, there were no intervals in which the MIG 21 Lancer aircraft fleet was recorded on the ground for technical reasons caused by the quality of the fuel used. The contractual relationship with SC Jet Fly Hub SRL Ploiești was carried out between 1.03.2018 – 31.07.2021, the award procedure being an open tender, in compliance with the provisions of the incident legislation.”
The case continues to unfold,raising serious questions about accountability and the potential impact of substandard materials on national security.
Headline: Unraveling the Intricacies: the Romania Kerosene Scandal and its Implications on National Security
Opening Statement:
In what can be described as a ripple through the vital arteries of national defense, the recent scandal involving substandard kerosene supplied to the Romanian Air Force challenges the very integrity of military operations. Could this be a wakeup call for military procurement worldwide?
Editor’s Questions:
1.Can you provide an overview of the Romanian kerosene scandal and its broader implications on military operations?
Expert’s Answer:
The romanian kerosene scandal centers around SC Jetfly Hub SRL, a company accused of supplying substandard aviation fuel to the Romanian Ministry of National defense. This breach of contract has had meaningful implications, raising concerns about national security and military readiness. Broader implications of this scandal include potential risks to the operational safety of military aircraft and the financial repercussions of compensating for the damage caused. Such incidents underscore the vital importance of stringent quality control and supply chain integrity within military logistics. The crisis reflects broader challenges that military organizations face globally in ensuring the reliability and safety of procurement processes.
2. How does fuel quality impact the performance and safety of military aircraft, such as the MIG-21 Lancers?
Expert’s Answer:
Fuel quality is a cornerstone of aviation safety and performance, particularly for military aircraft like the MIG-21 Lancers. High-quality aviation fuel must meet stringent specifications, including appropriate freezing points and the presence of necessary additives, to ensure proper engine function and safety.Poor-quality fuel can lead to engine failures, compromised performance, and even catastrophic accidents, as expertly noted in the Romanian Air Force case. ensuring fuel quality is critical to maintaining the aircraft’s technical availability and mission readiness,directly influencing both safety outcomes and operational capabilities.
3. what are the measures military organizations can take to prevent similar incidents in the future?
Expert’s Answer:
To mitigate the risk of future incidents, military organizations should adopt several key measures:
- Robust Contractual Clauses: Incorporate strict compliance terms regarding quality in procurement contracts.
- Regular Audits and Inspections: Perform routine checks on suppliers and incoming materials to verify adherence to specified standards.
- Supply Chain Transparency: Maintain transparency throughout the supply chain to ensure traceability and accountability of all fuel batches.
- Advanced Testing Facilities: Invest in state-of-the-art testing facilities that can assess fuel quality before use.
- Training Programs: employ comprehensive training programs for procurement officers to recognize potential red flags in supplier practices.
4. How does this scandal reveal potential weaknesses in Romania’s military procurement and defense capabilities?
Expert’s Answer:
The scandal has brought to light vulnerabilities in Romania’s military procurement processes, particularly concerning oversight and quality assurance. The reliance on substandard kerosene despite contractual obligations points to gaps in the enforcement of procurement regulations and the effectiveness of internal compliance mechanisms. Additionally, this incident has highlighted how easily defense capabilities can be compromised when quality is not rigorously upheld, impacting strategic readiness and national security. Addressing these weaknesses will require systemic changes and enhanced vigilance in procurement operations.
5. What are the long-term consequences for Romania’s defense posture and its responsibilities within NATO, given this incident?
Expert’s Answer:
this scandal could have profound long-term impacts on Romania’s defense posture, influencing its reliability and responsibilities within NATO. As a frontline nation in NATO’s eastern flank, Romania’s ability to effectively deploy military aircraft is critical.The grounding of MIG-21 lancers due to fuel quality issues may prompt a reevaluation of defense procurement practices,emphasizing the need for heightened scrutiny and alliance cooperation in ensuring military readiness. Strengthening inter-alliance trust and interaction will be imperative for romania to uphold its NATO commitments confidently.
Final Takeaway:
The Romanian kerosene scandal serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of maintaining high standards in military procurement. As defense forces navigate these complex challenges, transparency, rigorous quality checks, and the enforcement of contractual obligations will be paramount in safeguarding national security and ensuring operational readiness. We invite you to share your thoughts on this issue and join the conversation on military safety standards and procurement practices in our comments section below.