Training of Ukrainians on F-16s: Romania is waiting for the necessary permits
28 August, 2023 F-16 "Fighting Falcon" of the Air Force of Romania. August 2020. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Romania
For the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets in Romania to begin, the necessary permits are still being obtained. Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Colaku made such a statement in an interview with the Financial Times. In his opinion, it will take only a few days.
"I expect the protocols (for the pilots, - ed.) to be signed in the next few days, which is the last obstacle," Colaku said.
F-16 Fighting Falcon No1614 of the Romanian Air Force. August 2020. Photo credits: Romanian Ministry of National Defence
The Romanian Prime Minister also added that, as far as he knew, all the logistics had already been established.
In early July, Militarnyi reported that a regional center for training pilots on F-16 fighter jets would be set up in Romania. Ukrainian pilots will also be able to train there.
F-16 Fighting Falcon of the Air Force of Romania. August 2020.
Photo credits: Romanian Ministry of National Defence
Thus, Romania will join the "aviation coalition" that supports the training of Ukrainian pilots and personnel, as well as the transfer of modern multirole fighters as part of military assistance. The center is to be created jointly with other allies and Lockheed Martin, which is the manufacturer of these U.S. fighter jets. It will meet the training requirements of NATO members.
The United States will expedite permits for other countries to transfer their F-16 fighters to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This became known on August 24 following a telephone conversation between U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The U.S. Department of Defense plans to begin training Ukrainian pilots on F-16s in the United States this fall.
F-16s for Ukraine
As Militarnyi previously reported, on August 20, the Netherlands and Denmark announced their decision to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets. According to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, the Netherlands will provide 42 fighter jets to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Eight Ukrainian pilots have already begun training in Denmark. The first 6 fighters will fly from Denmark to Ukraine closer to the New Year.
Norwegian F-16AM fighter. Photo credits: Royal Norwegian Air Force
The Norwegian authorities have also decided to transfer its F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.
Norway will become the third NATO country after the Netherlands and Denmark to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets.