News item | 03-11-2025 | 17:56
The 18 Dutch F-16s serving in Romania have now been formally transferred to that country. The transfer papers were signed today in Bucharest by the Romanian chief of the general directorate for armaments Brigadier General Ion Cornel Plesa and Linda Ruseler. She is director of Movable Property Domains at the Ministry of Finance. Romanian and Ukrainian F-16 pilots are trained with the F-16s.
The first 5 former fighter aircraft of the Royal Netherlands Air Force have been in use at the European F-16 training center (EFTC) in Romania since November 2023. This unique training center in Europe was founded partly on the initiative of the Netherlands.
Trainings
NATO ally Romania has not had the F-16 for long. The country wants to strengthen the alliance’s eastern airspace with the aircraft. Romanian fighter pilots are trained in the EFTC to be able to operate the fighter aircraft. Ukrainian pilots have also been learning to deploy the F-16 here since September 2024. The focus is on defending Ukraine as best as possible against Russian aggression.
Minister Brekelmans: “The training center is a textbook example of successful cooperation. With Romania and Lockheed Martin, we work together in a unique way to train Romanian and Ukrainian pilots. It is very nice that our former F-16s have been given a valuable new life at the EFTC. The Ukrainian pilots trained here are already making a significant contribution to protecting their country against the terrible Russian air attacks.”
F-16s against Russian aggression
At the end of November last year, the air force delivered the last 2 F-16s to Romania. Until today, the Netherlands was still the owner of the fighter aircraft. In addition to the 18 aircraft for the EATC, the Netherlands also donated 24 to Ukraine. These are currently being deployed throughout the country to counter ruthless Russian air attacks. The Netherlands has now switched to the F-35, allowing our country to transfer the F-16s.