Romania Has Opened a Training Centre, Where Ukrainians Will Be Trained to Fly F-16

The European F-16 Training Centre (EFTC), where Ukrainian pilots will be trained, has opened at the Fetesti air base in Romania. This is reported by the Romanian Ministry of National Defence. Romanian Defence Minister Angel Tilwar and his Dutch counterpart Kajsa Ollongren opened the centre at the 86th Air Base “Lieutenant Aviator Gheorghe Mociornita”. The centre will be an international hub for F-16 pilot training and will enhance interconnectivity between allies. Romanian pilots as well as pilots from allied and partner nations, including Ukraine, will be trained there. Under the cooperation agreement, the Romanian Ministry of Defence provided the airbase for the exercise, the Netherlands provided the F-16 aircraft, and Lockheed Martin provided the instructors and maintenance. The training of Ukrainian pilots at this centre in Fetesti is expected to last approximately six months. The first five F-16s of the Royal Netherlands Air Force already landed in Fetesti last week.