The first pilots have graduated from the European F-16 Training Center in Romania. The Dutch Ministry of Defense announced that the first graduation included Romanian pilots. The Netherlands played a significant role in establishing the European Center and provided 18 F-16 fighter jets to Romania. The pilots underwent training in various scenarios, including missions with NATO pilots. The Dutch Defense Ministry highlighted that the European F-16 Training Center exemplifies NATO’s strength in cooperation. The ministry also stated that Ukrainian pilots will receive training at the center in the future, as part of Ukraine’s efforts to strengthen its air defense. The Netherlands will also supply 24 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.

The establishment of the regional training center in Romania allows Romania to join the aviation coalition that supports the training of Ukrainian pilots and ground personnel, as well as the transfer of modern multifunctional fighters. The center was developed collaboratively with other allies and Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the U.S. combat aircraft. Canada has also pledged around C$389 million (over $280 million) to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets. The graduation of the first Romanian pilots marks an important milestone for the European F-16 Training Center and further enhances the cooperative efforts to strengthen air defense capabilities.

ملخص الأخبار

• رومانيا ستنضم إلى “تحالف الطيران” الذي يدعم تدريب الطيارين والكوادر الأرضية الأوكرانية، وكذلك نقل مقاتلات متعددة الوظائف الحديثة كجزء من المساعدات العسكرية.
• الولايات المتحدة تعتبر من بين الحلفاء الذين شاركوا في إنشاء المركز التدريبي بجانب هولندا وشركة Lockheed Martin المصنع لمقاتلات الكومبات الأمريكية.
• كندا تعلن الخطة لتخصيص حوالي 389 مليون دولار كندي (أكثر من 280 مليون دولار أمريكي) لتدريب الطيارين الأوكرانيين على مقاتلات F-16.