Formal Transfer of F-16s to Romania Completed

The 18 Dutch F-16s serving in Romania have now been formally transferred to that country. The transfer documents were signed today in Bucharest by Romanian Brigadier General Ion Cornel Plesa, chief of the general directorate for armaments, and Linda Ruseler, director of Movable Property Domains at the Ministry of Finance. The F-16s are used to train Romanian and Ukrainian F-16 pilots.

The first 5 former fighter jets of the Royal Netherlands Air Force have been in use since November 2023 at the European F-16 Training Center (EFTC) in Romania. This unique training center in Europe was established partly on the initiative of the Netherlands.

Training

NATO ally Romania has only recently acquired the F-16. The country aims to strengthen the alliances eastern airspace with these aircraft. To operate the fighter jet, Romanian pilots are trained at the EFTC. Since September 2024, Ukrainian pilots have also been learning to operate the F-16 here. The focus is on defending Ukraine as effectively as possible against Russian aggression.

Minister Brekelmans: “The training center is a prime example of successful cooperation. Together with Romania and Lockheed Martin, we collaborate in a unique way to train Romanian and Ukrainian pilots. It is wonderful 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 in Romania. Until today, the Netherlands was still the owner of the fighter jets. In addition to the 18 aircraft for the EFTC, the Netherlands also donated 24 to Ukraine. These are currently being actively used by the country to counter relentless Russian air attacks. The Netherlands has now transitioned to the F-35, allowing the transfer of the F-16s.