Romania is part of the international coalition that could train Ukrainian pilots to operate F-16s

Data publicării: 22.06.2023 11:21

F-16 Fighting Falcon aflat în dotarea României. Foto: NATO Air Command

According to three unidentified Western sources, a coalition of Western countries is evaluating Romania as a viable location for F-16 fighter aircraft training for Ukrainian pilots. According to current and former Pentagon sources, the organization "is working to negotiate a contract to conduct the aircraft training at a site in Romania" and that "Lockheed Martin, which builds the F-16, would likely conduct the training."

NATO nations are also "moving closer to launching a program that could see warplanes over Ukrainian skies within months," Politico reported on June 21.

In May, the United States and many European nations decided to form an international coalition to assist Ukraine in procuring F-16 fighter planes and training Ukrainian fighter pilots.

In May, the United States and many European nations decided to form an international coalition to assist Ukraine in procuring F-16 fighter planes and training Ukrainian fighter pilots.

According to media reports, the fighter aircraft coalition is negotiating an agreement to undertake aviation drills at one of Romania's training fields. Lockheed Martin, which manufactures the F-16, will most likely lead the training.

European officials have not acknowledged nor denied publicly that the idea to train Ukrainian pilots in Romania is being considered.

The Romanian Air Force owns 17 used F-16s from Portugal and aims to buy 32 more from Norway. Bucharest, on the other hand, has authorized a proposal to acquire more sophisticated F-35s.

The country contributes significantly to NATO's Air Policing Mission, a multinational task group that regularly monitors European skies in order to respond quickly to airspace infractions.

At the request of Politico, the Romanian Ministry of Defence did not confirm or deny that they were considering training Ukrainian pilots on their territory, but did state that the country "welcomes the initiative to establish a coalition of NATO Allies to provide training of pilots for F-16s."

On June 12, Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren stated that the Netherlands and other allies hoped to begin training for Ukrainian pilots in F-16 fighter jets this summer.

"This summer is our goal. And we'll see if that's achievable," Ollongren added, adding that the initiative should be fully operating within six months.

The United States is supporting the training program, which also involves Belgium and Luxembourg. France and the United Kingdom have also offered aid, according to Ollongren.

Denmark, where F-16 flight simulators are based, is one prospective venue for the training program, according to the defense minister.

Ukraine's allies hope that delivering weaponry such as more modern fighter planes will not only increase Ukraine's prospects of winning in the conflict against Russia, but will also dissuade future Russian aggression.

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