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) officially opened in Romania, a collaboration between Lockheed Martin and the defense ministries of Romania and the Netherlands.
The center is designed to train F-16 pilots from Romania and Ukraine, with the Netherlands pledging up to 18 F-16s for the training program.
The EFTC aims to enhance regional interoperability, strengthen allied security, and bolster both NATO and Ukraine's capabilities.

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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.