Romania plans to open an F-16 fighter pilot training center to train pilots from NATO allies and partners, including Ukraine. On this subject writing Reuters citing the country’s Supreme Defense Council (CSAT).
“Together with its allies and the company that builds this fighter, Romania will create a regional center to train the pilots who will fly these planes,” CSAT said in a statement.
Romanian pilots who operate F-16 aircraft will be trained there, and later the facility will be open to pilots from allied states and NATO partners, including Ukraine, the council noted.
The F-16 became the most massive fourth-generation fighter due to its relatively low cost and combat performance. Since the start of production in 1973, more than 4.5 thousand of these aircraft in various modifications have been created.
At a meeting in April, CSAT officials said Bucharest intended to buy the latest generation of American F-35 fighters to boost its air defense.
On the fact that Romania is considered as a possible place for the training of Ukrainian pilots on June 21 writing Politico citing sources. According to the publication, Lockheed Martin, a manufacturer of fighter jets, could participate in the training.
In mid-May, Britain and the Netherlands announced their intention to form a “coalition” to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said London would also work with the United States, Belgium and Denmark to provide Kiev with “the necessary fighter jets”. May 19 United States agreed to supply Kiev with fourth-generation F-16 fighter jets, although Ukraine’s earlier requests to do so have met with cold shoulders in NATO countries. Russian media determined how many planes could end up in Ukraine and how they could affect the course of hostilities.
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