Netherlands transfers 18 F-16 fighter jets to European training center in Romania
<p>The 18 F-16 fighter jets allocated by the Netherlands to the European F-16 Training Centre in Romania, of the 42 aircraft made redundant after the new F-35 fleet was completely received, are arriving in Eastern Romania at Fetesti, <a href="https://www.economica.net/18-avioane-f-16-ajung-in-romania-dupa-ce-olanda-a-pus-oficial-la-pamant-toata-flota-sa_776551.html?mc_cid=62eaedc66c&amp;mc_eid=cd1f92f96c" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Economica.net</a> reported. The rest of the 24 aircraft are being sent to Ukraine.</p>

<p>Initially, the Netherlands intended to sell its last F-16s to the American company Draken International, which provides security and defense services, but the war in Ukraine changed its plans.</p>

<p>The European F-16 Training Center in Romania, operating in the 86 Fetești Air Base, was inaugurated in November 2023.</p>

<p>"The European F-16 Training Center will play a vital role in training Romanian pilots to operate these high-performance aircraft. Through this ambitious initiative, we aim not only to train a significant number of pilots but also to obtain new qualifications for those who already operate F-16 aircraft in Romania," said the Romanian minister of defense on that occasion.</p>

<p><em>iulian@romania-insider.com</em></p>

<p><em>(Photo source: <a href="https://www.dreamstime.com" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Ivan Cholakov/Dreamstime.com</a>)</em></p>