NATO Aircraft Space: Armed Forces Pilots can learn to pilot F-16 in Romania-Politico
According to the sources of the publication, NATO countries are closer to launching a program that will soon allow the F-16 fighters over the Ukrainian sky. "Romania is one of the places that the coalition considers for the exercises," said anonymous Western official. According to the current and former representatives of the Pentagon, the group is working to conclude a contract for training flights at the landfill in Romania.
They added that it is possible that Lockheed Martin, which builds the F-16, will conduct training. Details about the training program of Ukrainian pilots appeared slowly, as President Joe Biden supported her recently. The Netherlands and Denmark are leading multinational training efforts, but partner countries have not yet determined the question of which countries will provide the aircraft necessary for training.
Journalists report that European officials have not currently confirmed and did not refute that the proposal to study Ukrainian pilots in Romania is being discussed. A representative of the Netherlands Ministry of Defense noted that the partners are working on the creation of the F-16 training center in Eastern Europe.
In turn, a representative of the developer Lockheed stated that the firm is ready to teach Ukrainian pilots flights and servicing of F-16 fighters as soon as Western countries agree to send them. "F16 supply is not discussed now. We are working hard to start training at the F-16 Ukrainian pilots as soon as possible. Delivery requires a separate decision-making process," said Lockheed Martin.
The Acting Defense Minister of Denmark, Troyels Lund Poulsen, expressed his hope that he would be able to present the "Concept" regarding the NATO Summit in Vilnius in July, and that training will begin this summer. "Over the past few weeks, I had some opportunities to discuss with my colleagues possible models of training in Ukrainian pilots and auxiliary personnel for F-16 aircraft.
I am very glad to see that a coalition that is engaged in the training of pilots and auxiliary personnel for the F-16, is constantly expanding. It will be an important strategic step in the long run, "he said. The publication reports that the Romanian Air Force operates a park of 17 used F-16 purchased in Portugal and plan 32 another fighter jets in Norway.
The country also plays a crucial role in the NATO mission for the protection of airspace and an international operational group engaged in constant patrolling of the European Sky. The question of whether negotiations on Ukrainian pilots training in Romania were not confirmed by the country's Defense Ministry, but did not refute that the country is under consideration. However, the Ministry noted that the country "welcomes the initiative to create a coalition of NATO allies to train F-16 pilots".
"We confirm that Romania is working closely with its NATO allies, EU partners, its strategic partners and the leadership of Ukraine to ensure the ability of the Ukrainian people to withstand and effectively resist the illegal Russian aggression and occupation of the sovereign territory of Ukraine," the Ministry of Defense said. .