European F-16 Training Center Opens in Romania

The center will serve as a model for training regional partners, including the Ukrainian Air Force, said Kathleen Kavalec, U.S. ambassador to Romania.

Kimberly Johnson

Monday, November 13, 2023 at 02:34 PM ET

Verified

The new European F-16 Training Center (EFTC) is located at Romanian Air Force 86th Air Base near Fetești, Romania. [Courtesy: Defense Ministry of the Netherlands]

Key Takeaways:

The European F-16 Training Center (EFTC) has officially opened at Romania's 86th Air Base, inaugurated by officials from Lockheed Martin, Romania, and the Netherlands.
The center is established to train F-16 pilots from both Romania and Ukraine, with five Dutch F-16s already delivered and up to 18 pledged by the Netherlands.
Lockheed Martin and its subcontractors will provide the F-16 training services at the new facility.
The EFTC aims to enhance regional interoperability, strengthen allied security, and bolster support for NATO and Ukraine.

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Officials from Lockheed Martin and the defense ministries of Romania and the Netherlands officially opened the European F-16 Training Center (EFTC) in Romania Monday.

The flight training facility located at Romanian Air Force 86th Air Base near Fetești, Romania, will train pilots from Romania and Ukraine. Last week, five Dutch F-16s were delivered to the center. The Netherlands has pledged to provide up to 18 F-16s for flight training.