In Romania, a experienced fighter pilot known by the call sign Red is preparing to transition from flying the retired MIG21 LanceR jets to the Lockheed Martin F-16 planes, with the first flights expected as early as December.
Red, along with six other Romanian pilots, have become the first trainees at a NATO military alliance-backed regional F-16 training hub, which will also be open to all allies and partners, including Ukraine.
The 32-year-old pilot, known as Red, expressed some nerves about the transition, but also stated, “At the end of the day it is a fighter jet and we have been flying fighter jets.”
Romania, which shares a border with Ukraine, has seen the conflict approach its borders, leading to the decision to purchase 32 second-hand F-16 fighter jets from Norway, in addition to 17 acquired from Portugal since 2016.
Furthermore, Romania also plans to spend $6.5 billion to buy 32 latest-generation F-35 fighter planes after 2030.
The European F-16 training centre (EFTC) is located at a Romanian military air base near the southeastern town of Fetesti and is using F-16 jets provided by the Netherlands with training support from Lockheed Martin and its contractors.
It is anticipated that the hub could start training Ukrainian pilots as early as next year, as indicated by Dutch Colonel Olivier Bok.
In August, the United States approved sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands, once pilot training was completed. Ukraine has actively sought the U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets to counter Russian air superiority.
Romania is considered a more convenient location for training Ukrainian pilots compared to Denmark and the U.S., according to Bok.
Additionally, Dutch Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren, present at the hub’s launch, stated that the decision to send F-16s to Ukraine is dependent on preparations on the Ukrainian side, including trained pilots, maintenance personnel, and infrastructure, and will require coordination with the U.S. as it is an American capability.
(Reporting by Luiza Ilie; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
