Turkish F-16s join Romanian air defense for the first time

5 December, 2023 Turkish F-16 fighters. November 2023. Photo credits: Turkish Air Force

Turkey has deployed a group of its F-16 fighter jets to Romania for the first time to patrol the airspace as part of NATO's air policing mission. Allied Air Command reported on this. On Thursday, November 30, four Turkish F-16 fighter jets arrived at the 86th Borcea Air Base in Romania.

Turkish aircraft will fly alongside Romanian and German jets to safeguard NATO airspace on the Black Sea shores and deter potential threats from the air. NATO emphasized that this deployment "demonstrates NATO Allies' commitment to support each other and strengthen the Alliance's collective defense."

A Turkish F-16 fighter jet. Photo credits: Turkish Air Force

They also added that the NATO Air Force is ready to respond "to any threat from any direction."

"I welcome Germany and Turkey's deployment of additional fighter jets to NATO's air policing mission in Romania," Dylan White, acting NATO Spokesperson, stated. Turkish F-16s will be in Romania for four months.

Turkish F-16 fighter jets in flight. Photo credits: Turkish Air Force

German Eurofighter fighter jets were deployed to Romania at the end of November at the "Mihail Kogalniceanu" Air Base near Constanta.

Romania also hosts the French SAMP/T air defense system, nicknamed MAMBA, based in Capu Midia. Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, NATO has increased its presence in the eastern part of the alliance, including by increasing the number of fighter jets and reconnaissance flights.

Norwegian F-16 fighter jet handed over to the Romanian Air Force.

November 2023, Norway.

Photo credits: Romanian Ministry of National Defence

As previously reported, the Romanian Air Force recently received the first used Norwegian F-16 fighter jets.