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Netherlands delivers final two promised F-16's for training Ukrainian pilots in Romania
November 22, 2024 (by
Lieven Dewitte) -
The Netherlands has delivered the final two of 18 promised F-16 fighter jets to a training facility in Romania, where Ukrainian pilots and ground crew are being trained to fly and maintain the aircraft for combat, the Dutch Defence ministry said on Wednesday.
The training center was established last year with Dutch involvement, and the Netherlands committed 18 F-16s for the program. Five jets were initially delivered at the "Lt. Aviator Gheorghe Mociorniță" Air Base in Romania in November 2023, with the remaining aircraft now in place.
With plans to send an additional 24 F-16s directly to Ukraine, the Netherlands has positioned itself as a key player in the international coalition to supply Ukraine with F-16s to strengthen its air defence against the Russian invasion.
The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNlAF) operated the Lockheed Martin F-16A since the early eighties. A total of 213 F-16’s were acquired but earlier this fall, they decommissioned its last F-16 fighters.
A RNlAF pilot taxis down the runway in F-16AM #J-866 during exercise Red Flag-Alaska 11-1 on April 20th, 2011 at Eielson AFB. [USAF photo by A1C. Laura Goodgame]
With plans to send an additional 24 F-16s directly to Ukraine, the Netherlands has positioned itself as a key player in the international coalition to supply Ukraine with F-16s to strengthen its air defence against the Russian invasion.
The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNlAF) operated the Lockheed Martin F-16A since the early eighties. A total of 213 F-16’s were acquired but earlier this fall, they decommissioned its last F-16 fighters.
Additional images:
RNlAF F-16AM #J-511 from 313 sqn takes off from Leeuwarden AB during Frisian Flag on April 26th, 2012. [Photo by Maurits Even]
RNlAF F-16BM #J-065 from 306 sqn assigned to the Arizona ANG’s 162nd FW at Tucson IAP lands on December 10th, 2010 using a drag chute. Chutes are typically employed by Dutch fighters as a safety feature for short field landings and adverse weather conditions. They can reduce the needed runway length by nearly 50 percent. [USAF photo by Maj. Gabe Johnson]
RNlAF F-16AM #J-019 lands at Tucson IAP on October 29th, 2010. The first two of 14 Dutch F-16s arrived today to support pilot training with the Arizona ANG’s 162nd FW. [USAF photo by MSgt. Dave Neve]
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