Romanian Air Force F-16 fighter jets fly over the opening of an F-16 training centre at the Baza 86 military airbase near Feteşti, Romania, Nov. 13, RFE reports.
The purpose of the new military facility in southeastern Romania is to increase interoperability between NATO allies and prepare the military alliance “to meet the challenges” in Eastern Europe and the Black Sea region. Dutch Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren said at the opening:
“The next step is that training will start with Romanian crews, pilots and crews, and of course, planning ahead, also for Ukraine.”
Aircraft manufacturer Lockheed Martin will provide instructors and maintenance services at the training centre, while the Royal Netherlands Air Force will supply US-made combat aircraft. A Dutch Air Force F-16 aircraft is shown to members of the media during the opening ceremony.
Ollongren says the training centre will soon be training Ukrainian pilots and crews. In August, the US approved sending F-16 fighter jets from Denmark and the Netherlands to Ukraine as soon as pilot training is completed, according to RFE.
Romanian Air Force pilots sit in a training classroom. Seven pilots began training at the centre on November 13. Ollongren said European allies had to continue supporting Ukraine and they could not “afford any fatigue” regarding the war. Kajsa Ollongren noted:
“We must increase our efforts, we must continue our support to Ukraine in every possible way.”
Ollongren also welcomed a proposal by EU High Representative Josep Borrell to set up a fund of up to 5bn euros a year for four years to support Ukraine, which diplomats said last week had met resistance from European countries.
More than 4,600 aircraft have been built since production began in 1976. Ukraine is actively seeking to buy US-made F-16 fighter jets to have air superiority.
Romania, a NATO member since 2004, has increased its defence spending, and NATO has increased its presence on Europe’s eastern flank by sending additional multinational combat teams to Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria and Slovakia, all members of the alliance.
