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The European F-16 Training Centre (EFTC) in Romania has graduated its first batch of pilots. These are Romanian pilots. They have been declared combat ready and can now be deployed operationally. The Netherlands played a major role in establishing the EFTC, providing a total of 18 F-16s.
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The pilots received their licenses today. They followed different scenarios during training. For example, they performed missions in darkness and trained with pilots from NATO allies. During training, the aircraft flew only in NATO airspace.
Minister Reuben Brekelmans: “NATO’s strength lies in cooperation. The European F-16 Training Center is a great example of this. We work together in a unique way in the EFTC with Lockheed Martin and Romania. The successful Romanian pilots can now be deployed immediately to ensure the safety of NATO airspace. In this way, they strengthen our security and the defense of the Alliance.”
The next batch of Romanian pilots has already started. In due course, Ukrainian soldiers will also be trained as F-16 pilots. Brekelmans: “I am looking forward to the moment when the first batch of Ukrainian pilots will be trained here. Ukraine badly needs to strengthen its air defense.”
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F-16 Joint Forces
In addition to the F-16s at the training center, the Netherlands has provided Ukraine with 24 more. Together with Denmark and the United States, the Netherlands is leading the European effort to provide Ukraine with F-16 capacity. The communication about the delivery of the aircraft was very cautious for operational security reasons. This was also at the explicit request of Ukraine.
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