President Klaus Iohannis has officially approved training of approximately 50 Ukrainian pilots on F-16 aircraft in Romania.
Iohannis approved the transit of equipment and material goods donated by Finland to Ukraine and the training of about 50 Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets, with training to take place at the Fetești military base.
Ukraine seeks F-16 fighter jets to counter Russia’s air superiority at the frontline, where Russian aircraft maintain an edge with longer-range capabilities despite Ukraine’s dense air defenses.
The United States approved the transfer of F-16s from Denmark and the Netherlands last August, pending completion of pilot training. Training of Ukrainian pilots and ground personnel is ongoing, and Ukraine has yet to operate any F-16s.
The president’s notification letter was forwarde to the defense committees and will be put to a vote in the next joint plenary session’s agenda.
The President’s information has been forwarded to the defence committees and will be put to the vote on the agenda of the next joint plenary session.
Training to fly the F-16s is expected to end at the end of the year, says Euro Maidan Press.
Earlier, NYT noted that the new training center in Romania is prepared with flight instructors and jets, but the pilots have yet to arrive, highlighting the confusion and chaos in NATO’s rush to supply F-16s and the uncertainty of when training will begin…
European Commission warns Romania that reform delays put recovery funds at risk
