Following the Revolution against communism in December 1989, the Air Forces were given a priority role in Romanian Armed Forces reorganization process.

In this context, in 1993, in order to become compatible with Western structures, Air Force and Air Defense Staff was created by uniting the Air Force Coomand and Territorial Air Defense Command. This structure broughgt together military aviation, antiaircraft artillery and missiles, and radar troops in a unique body. Units restructuring process went on in a high tempo so that to be able to face both Romania's new political orientation and budgetary restraints posed by transition. It is this period when the decision concerning aircraft upgrading programs (MiG-21 Lancer, IAR-330 Puma SOCAT and IAR-99 Şoim) is made. It is also the period when Romania purchased the first C-130 aircraft, thus becoming the first country of the Warsaw Treaty which introduced into service this type of aircraft to cover the needs for deploying the troops to the theatres where peacekeeping operations are conducted.

Starting with June 1st, 2000, the Order establishing the present Air Force structure and title. As a result of budgetary restraints, a large amount of units have been restructured or disbanded, and aircraft, radars and missiles gradually taken out of service because they could not provide the desired compatibility with NATO structures and forces. Aircraft such as MIG-15, MiG-17, MiG-23, Hong -5 and MiG-29 have been step by step removed from service.