F16 pilot training center in Romania opens doors with inaugural demonstration flights

In Romania, at the Fetești military airbase, a showcase of flight maneuvers was held at the Training Center for F-16 fighter pilots. 

Ukrainian pilots are set to undergo training at this facility, Suspilne reports.

The plan to establish a regional training center for F-16 pilots in Romania was disclosed in July 2023. On November 13, the European Training Center officially opened at the Fetești military airbase.

On Monday, November 13, Romania's Minister of Defense, Angel Tilvar, and his Dutch counterpart, Kajsa Ollongren, inaugurated the European Training Center for F-16 fighters. This center will host the training of Ukrainian pilots.

During a press conference with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on October 10, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the upcoming opening of the F-16 training center in Romania. This center will be where Ukrainian pilots will familiarize themselves with the aircraft in the initial phase.

On November 7, President Zelensky confirmed the arrival of the first five F-16s, sent by the Netherlands for training purposes, at the Romanian training center.

General Onno Eichelsheim, the Commander of the Netherlands Armed Forces, revealed the plan to send all promised F-16 fighter jets to Romania to train Ukrainian pilots by the end of the year, totaling 12-18 aircraft.

The United States approved the transfer of F-16 fighter jets from Denmark and the Netherlands to Ukraine. National Security Advisor to the President of the United States, Jake Sullivan, stated that Ukraine would receive the aircraft after completing pilot training.

In the Netherlands and Denmark, an agreement was reached on August 20 to transfer F-16 aircraft to Ukraine after Ukrainian pilots completed their training.

According to the US Air Force, at the end of October, a "small number" of Ukrainian pilots began training in the 162nd Aviation Unit of the Arizona National Guard on F-16 fundamentals.