Netherlands transfers 18 F-16 fighter aircraft to Romanian NATO training facility

Romania is set to expand its fleet of F-16 fighter jets by the end of 2025, with 18 aircraft to be transferred from both the Netherlands and Norway. This announcement was made following the conclusion of the NATO summit in The Hague.

The defense minister, Ionuț Moșteanu, announced the transfer during a press conference in The Hague alongside President Nicus̤or Dan. According to the contract, another 14 F-16 aircraft from Norway are to arrive in Romania by the end of the year, and the remaining 18 will come from the Netherlands.

Technical-level discussions will be held to finalize the details of the transfer. The defense minister will sign a Memorandum of Understanding to continue the procedure for the transfer. The transfer of the fighter jets will occur for a symbolic sum of EUR 1.

Currently, Romania has two squadrons of F-16 aircraft, located at Borcea Air Base and Câmpia Turzii Air Base. With the arrival of the additional 14 aircraft from Norway and the 18 from the Netherlands, the total number of F-16 aircraft owned by Romania will be 67.

The 17 F-16 aircraft purchased from Portugal were received between 2016-2017 and 2020-2021, and 18 from Norway were received last month. The additional 14 F-16 fighter jets that Romania is to receive from Norway come directly from Norway, according to the contract. There is no indication that these 14 jets originated from other countries besides Norway.

The fighter jets will be used exclusively for pilot training at Romania's F-16 training and instruction center, which supports NATO and allied air forces. Romania's role in regional defense cooperation and pilot readiness is strengthened with the establishment of a multinational F-16 training hub on its territory in 2023.

The transfer of fighter jets is part of wider NATO efforts to expand collective deterrence and readiness capabilities on the alliance's eastern flank. The NATO summit in The Hague reiterated commitments to Article 5 and agreed to increase military spending, with a new target of 5% of GDP per member state.

This move by Romania will undoubtedly bolster its air defense capabilities and contribute to the collective defense efforts of NATO. The arrival of these fighter jets marks an important step in Romania's ongoing commitment to strengthening its defense capabilities and ensuring regional stability.