F16 training center in Romania

Romania will host a pilot training center for F16 aircraft

Ştefan Stoica, 31.08.2023, 14:00

The Romanian Minister of Defense, Angel Tîlvăr, signed,
on Tuesday, the Letter of Intent between the Ministry of National Defense, the
Ministry of Defense of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Lockheed Martin
Company regarding the F16 Training Center in Romania. The event took place on
the sidelines of the Informal Meeting of the EU Defense Ministers, held in Toledo,
Spain. The document concerns the establishment of the F16 Training Center in
Romania, an initiative designed to support the development of the skills of
Romanian pilots in operating such aircraft by carrying out a varied range of
strategic missions.

Angel Tîlvăr: This initiative will support the
development of Romanian pilots’ skills. We will be able to provide a
high-quality training environment with access to technical resources and
know-how not only for us, but also for partners, including Ukraine, if
necessary. The level of training will increase strongly, all the more since we
are also waiting for more F16 planes to arrive. I am optimistic about the pace
in which this center will be established.

In order to implement this project, the Royal Netherlands Air
Force will contribute by deploying some F16 aircraft to an air base in Romania,
thus facilitating the effective training of Romanian pilots. Also, Lockheed
Martin Company will provide technical support of the highest level, with flight
instructors and technical-engineering personnel. Through this solid
cooperation, a complex training will be ensured, in accordance with
international standards, the Romanian Foreign Ministry has stressed.

The F16 Training Center at the 86th Air Base will become
a relevant regional center, a fact already consolidated by the signing of the
Joint Declaration at the NATO Summit in Vilnius, in July 2023. Romania thus
joins other allied nations, such as Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Luxembourg,
Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Sweden and the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in supporting the training of Ukrainian
pilots for the future use of F16 aircraft.

Bucharest hopes that the future F16 Training Center in
Romania will demonstrate its strategic importance, which aims to meet the
complex security requirements of Romania, allies and partners in the region.
This joint effort strengthens Romania’s position as a regional leader in the
training of F16 pilots, contributing to alliance cohesion, demonstrating unity
and strengthening Euro-Atlantic defense, Minister Angel Tîlvăr said. The center
will be partly financed by Romania. On the other hand, the Romanian minister is
sure that, given the fact that there are European initiatives aimed at common
training and common defense, Bucharest will also benefit from funds intended
for such centers from the European partners. (MI)