The Netherlands will permanently transfer 18 F-16 fighter jets to Romania. We will reach 50 aircrafts

https://www.antena3.ro/actualitate/olanda-va-transfera-romaniei-definitiv-18-avioane-de-lupta-f-16-741450.html

by Theghistorian

17 comments

  1. The Netherlands will permanently transfer to Romania the 18 F-16 fighter jets from the F-16 Training Center, according to DefenseRomania.

    The exact details of the transfer to Romania are not yet known and are subject of negotiations between the two countries, but the transfer will take place sometime this year. The planes will continue to be part of the F-16 transition program.

    With this transfer, Romania will have four F-16 squadrons.

    The 53 Fighter Squadron is currently operational, based at Borcea, at the 86th Air Base, and consists of 17 F-16 aircraft acquired several years ago from Portugal. Two other squadrons are being formed under an ongoing contract with Norway, from which Romania has advanced a further 32 aircraft.

    Sixteen planes have been delivered and the second squadron, 48 Squadron, which is based at the General Emanoil Ionescu 71st Air Base in Câmpia Turzii, has been formed. The last 16 planes will be delivered this year and will form the third squadron.

    The 32 planes were purchased at a price of 388 million euro to ensure the transition to the F-35 and are the F-16 AM/BM version in M6.5.2 configuration, with the contract also including spare engines and logistic support.

    Romania and the Netherlands signed a letter of intent in December 2024 reaffirming the two countries’ commitment to strengthen and expand collaboration at the F-16 Training Center in Romania.

    Translated with [DeepL.com](http://DeepL.com) (free version)

  4. Does those include the upgraded kill switch?

    Even so. Good that we help eachother.

  7. Imagine using American fighter jets in 2025…

  10. Why is the Netherlands buying f-35’s from the USA? 🤷🏾

  11. Romania is strategic but do you have manpower for these machines?

  12. So how many total F16s will Romania have at the end of all these transfers?

  13. 67 aircraft actually. 73 if they add another 6 F-16s.

  14. Now this is an Air Force that we can talk about. There are 49 jets that will make three squadrons, and with these additional 18 the number will move up close to 70 (well, 67, but I read the number can move up even more, at over 70 as these might not be the last addition).

    Most of these “new” F-16 will form more then likely a training squadron (and in the future probably used for spare parts if ever necessary), for the training of Romanian and Ukrainian pilots. Possibly other F-16 pilots as well, like Bulgarians or from other countries that acquires F-16 lately.

    The Dutch had transferred in Romania (for good) their F-16 training facility from US, and personnel from Lockheed Martin also work at this base to help with training of pilots and maintenance crews. The main request was that in exchange Romania will continue the training of Ukrainian pilots here, which was obviously accepted with no problem

    Both Romania (especially) and Ukraine (obviously) will greatly benefit from this. In just couple years Romanian Air Force will become one of the strongest in Europe, with close to 70 F-16 jets and a very good training facility with everything needed (I think the only one in Europe) while Ukrainian pilots will benefit from it as well, with an excellent place to train their pilots safely and at very good standards (from what I understand is not an easy and quick process so it may take at least one year even for a veteran pilot qualified on different planes, like Mig-29).

    Surprised to say, the Dutch really made a great move here

  16. Send them to Ukraine.  They need them now against the same enemy. 

  17. F-16 is liability now. No one knows if president Trump simply not decide to ban selling spare parts to EU. Better sell it to USA vassal like Taiwan ASAP and buy real air fighters.

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