The first five F-16 fighter jets of the Royal Netherlands Air Force have landed at the Fetesti Air Base in Romania to train pilots from Ukraine and NATO countries at the European Training Center (EFTC), the Dutch Defense Ministry announced on November 7.
Ministry of Defense of the Netherlands said,
5 Dutch F-16 fighter aircraft are currently on their way to the European F-16 training center (EFTC) in Romania. The aircraft are intended to train Romanian and Ukrainian pilots.
These first batch of aircraft will serve the basis of European F-16 training center (EFTC), that's being established as a result of the collaboration between the Ministry of National Defense, through the Romanian Air Force and the Ministry of Defense of the Netherlands, through the Royal Air Force, in partnership with the original equipment manufacturer Lockheed Martin Company and with the support of the Kingdom of Denmark, coordinating state alongside the Netherlands, of the international F-16 Coalition.
About these first batch of aircraft , they are three F-16AMs with serial numbers J-010, J-019 & J-366 & two F-16BMs with J-064 & J-210 serial numbers.
Ministry of Defense of the Netherlands added further,
The Netherlands took the initiative to set up the EFTC and is making 12 to 18 F-16s available for this purpose. The fighter aircraft remain the property of the Netherlands.
Together with Denmark and with support from the United States, the Netherlands is in charge of coordinating European efforts for F-16 capacity for Ukraine.
Understandably, the center will be an international hub for F-16 pilot training and will facilitate increased interoperability between NATO and other allies.
At the same time, it will contribute to the creation of common operational standards and to strengthening the capacity of the North Atlantic Alliance to face the complex challenges in the Black Sea region and in Eastern Europe, states the Ministry of Defense.
According to the collaboration agreement, the Romanian Ministry provides the 86th Air Base, the training facilities and the support of the host nation, the Royal Netherlands Air Force provides F-16 aircraft, and the Lockheed Martin Company provides the instructors and maintenance.
The European Training Center will contribute to the acceleration of the training process of Romanian pilots, in the context in which the Romanian Army is preparing to receive 32 F-16 aircraft, recently purchased from Norway.
Considering the current geopolitical context and Romania's strategic position in the Black Sea region, this center becomes essential for cross-border collaboration, strengthening security and consolidating solidarity within NATO, notes the Ministry of National Defense.
Aimed at helping the cause of Ukraine, the European F-16 Training Center, Romania is committed to providing a high-quality training environment, with access to state-of-the-art technical resources and know-how, not only for Romanian pilots, but also for those from allied states and partners, including from Ukraine.
Though date is not announced yet, The European F-16 Training Center from the 86th Air Base Lieutenant Aviator Gheorghe Mociorniță in Fetești will be inaugurated through an official ceremony.
The Netherlands wants to provide Ukraine with twelve to 18 fighter jets. However, It's too early to predict, when Ukraine will actually be able to use the F-16 fighter jets in the war zone.
