Based At Fetesti Since Late 2023, Now Formally Join Air Force

The Netherlands announced the donation of 18 F-16 fighter jets to Romania for €1, a symbolic amount that signifies the aircraft will formally enter the Romanian Air Force.

The announcement was made by Romanian Defense Minister Ionut Mosteanu at a NATO summit in The Hague on June 24-25, coming after the aircraft have been based at the European F-16 Training Fighter Center (EFTC) in Fetesti, Romania, since November 2023.

The aircraft are not intended for combat deployment but rather will continue to be used in their role as dedicated trainers for the pilots of several countries including Romania, NATO, and other allied air forces to contribute broader regional preparedness and interoperability.

The EFTC is the result of a joint European initiative and has participated in training Ukrainian fighter pilots. Ukraine has received 24 F-16 aircraft from the Royal Netherlands Air Force, in addition to which Belgium, Denmark, and Norway have also committed to delivering F-16s to Ukraine subject to the arrival of new F-35 jets ordered for their respective air forces.

With this addition of these 18 aircraft, the Romanian F-16 fleet totals 67 F-16s. The country has previously acquired 17 F-16s from Portugal and another 32 of the same  type from The Netherlands.

The Royal Netherlands Air Force had received a total of 213 F-16s of different versions between 1979 and 1992. They were retired in 2024 following the start of deliveries of the F-35A stealth fighter jets.

FMI:  www.nato.int/