Romania has formally completed a key step in its air force modernization and in the development of Europe’s F-16 training ecosystem by signing an intergovernmental agreement with the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for the transfer of 18 F-16 fighter aircraft. The contract was signed in Bucharest on November 3 by Major General Ion-Cornel Pleșa, Head of the General Directorate for Armaments within the Ministry of National Defence, and Linda Ruseler, Director of Movable Assets at the Dutch Ministry of Finance, in the presence of Defence Minister Liviu-Ionuț Moșteanu and the Dutch Ambassador to Romania, Willemijn van Haaften.
Minister Moșteanu emphasized that the agreement is more than a procurement procedure — it represents a significant advancement in the evolution of the European F-16 Training Center (EFTC). He recalled that Romania and the Netherlands had already reaffirmed their intent to extend EFTC operations by signing a Memorandum of Understanding at the NATO Summit in The Hague in June. According to Moșteanu, the center has transformed Romania into a regional hub for all European states that operate or will operate the F-16, and discussions are underway to expand the training modules in line with the progress of the F-35 program.
Romania’s contribution to the center goes beyond infrastructure, ensuring harmonized training standards among NATO countries and supporting multinational F-16 pilot training efforts. Moșteanu also highlighted that the inclusion of Ukrainian pilots at EFTC demonstrates Romania’s concrete support for regional security and collective defence. Ukrainian pilots have been training at the center since September 2024, an effort that strengthens Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russia’s sustained air attacks.
Dutch Ambassador van Haaften described defence cooperation between the two countries as long-standing and steadily growing, calling EFTC “a model of successful partnership.” She noted that the formal transfer of the 18 aircraft further strengthens bilateral relations and ensures the continuity of training activities. The first five former Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16s have been operating at the Fetești base since November 2023, with the remaining aircraft delivered by late 2024, bringing the total to 18.
Dutch Defence Minister Brekelmans also underlined the center’s value for both Romania and Ukraine. He said EFTC represents “a textbook example of international cooperation,” noting that Ukrainian pilots trained in Romania are already making a meaningful difference on the battlefield as they defend their country against Russia’s intense air assaults. With the Netherlands transitioning to the F-35, the country began phasing out its F-16 fleet; in addition to the 18 jets allocated to EFTC, the Netherlands has donated 24 F-16s directly to Ukraine.
Under the terms of the newly signed contract, the total purchase price for the 18 F-16 aircraft is set at 1 Euro, excluding VAT. Based on a declared value of 100 million Euros for the aircraft and their logistics support package, Romania will pay 21 million Euros in VAT. The aircraft now officially belong to the Romanian state and are fully dedicated to training activities at EFTC. Romania has also undertaken to provide training slots for pilots from NATO allies and partner countries.
The agreement strengthens Romania’s role on NATO’s eastern flank while contributing to the establishment of a robust and sustainable F-16 training framework in Europe. Given the globally limited availability of advanced F-16 training infrastructure, the continued development of EFTC is a strategically important step for both Romania and its allies. With the aircraft transfer now complete, EFTC is set to further consolidate its position as Europe’s central hub for F-16 pilot training, enabling Romanian and Ukrainian pilots to continue their preparation without interruption.
