On Wednesday, November 20, the Dutch Ministry of Defense reported the delivery of the final two F-16 fighter jets committed to the European F-16 Training Center (EFTC) in Romania, where future Ukrainian pilots are being trained on the platform. This brings the total number of Dutch aircraft deployed at Fetesti Air Base to 18, all of which were retired from service in the Royal Netherlands Air Force this past September.
According to official statements, the facility’s commander remarked: “Just a year after its establishment, the pilot training school now has all the appropriate aircraft provided by the Netherlands.” It is worth noting that the delivery of the first five F-16s to the EFTC occurred last year under strict security measures, specifically in November, with the first group of pilots arriving for training in July of this year.
The European F-16 Training Center owes its existence not only to the transfer of aircraft from the Netherlands but also to contributions from Romanian F-16s, whose pilots are also being trained through the initiative. The project is overseen by a Dutch authority, Major General Arnoud Stallmann.
The EFTC has undoubtedly become a crucial component in the training of Ukrainian pilots, who initially develop their skills on aircraft such as GROB-115 basic trainers (in the United Kingdom) and Alphajets (in France).
Finally, it is important to highlight that NATO allies’ cooperation to strengthen the Ukrainian Air Force has extended beyond pilot training to include the delivery of fighter jets for combat. The Netherlands has already committed a total of 24 F-16 aircraft, while countries like Belgium, Denmark, and Norway have also pledged portions of their fleets, with Greece potentially joining as well.
Images used for illustrative purposes.
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