The European F-16 Training Center (EFTC), located in Romania, has graduated its first pilots for multirole fighters.
This is stated in a statement by the Dutch Ministry of Defense.
Graduation of F-16 pilots in Romania and training of Ukrainian Armed Forces pilots
— These are Romanian pilots. They have been declared combat-ready and are now ready for operational deployment. The Netherlands played a key role in the establishment of the EFTC, providing a total of 18 F-16 aircraft. Today, the pilots received their licenses, — the report says.
It is added that as part of the training, the pilots “practiced various scenarios, for example, carrying out missions in the dark and training together with pilots from NATO member countries”.
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Also, the head of the Ministry of Defence of the Netherlands Ruben Brekelmans added that the new pilots “strengthen our security and the defence capability of the Alliance”.
— NATO's strength lies in cooperation. The European F-16 Training Centre is a great example of this. Together with Lockheed Martin and Romania, we work together in the EFTC in a unique way. Successful Romanian pilots can now be deployed immediately to help secure NATO airspace, he stressed.
The next batch of Romanian pilots has already begun training, he added, and in time, Ukrainian servicemen will begin training as F-16 pilots“.
— I look forward to the time when the first Ukrainian pilots will be trained here. Ukraine is in dire need of stronger air defenses, — said Brekelmans.
The Dutch Ministry of Defence recalls that in addition to the F-16 aircraft for the training centre, the Netherlands is also delivering 24 aircraft to Ukraine. Together with Denmark and the United States, the Netherlands is leading the European effort to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighters. For operational security reasons, they are discreetly reporting on the deliveries of the aircraft. This is also done at the explicit request of Ukraine, the statement said.
