A facility to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets was officially opened in Romania on Monday as NATO countries are working to get the US-made warplanes to the battlefield in Ukraine.
“The center will be an international hub for the training of F-16 pilots and will facilitate increased interoperability among allies,” the Romanian Defense Ministry said, according to POLITICO.
Ukrainian pilots started training on F-16s elsewhere in Europe earlier this year. The Pentagon said in October that training had also started at a US Air National Guard Base in Arizona.
The first batch of Ukrainian pilots is not expected to complete their training until next year. So far, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Norway have all said they’re willing to supply Ukraine with F-16s when the training is completed. Denmark has said the first jets should be sent by April 2024.
The Netherlands sent five of its F-16s to the training center in Romania earlier this month. “The training center in Romania will first use the aircraft to provide a refresher course for the hired F-16 instructors, after which training will be provided to the Romanian and Ukrainian pilots. The aircraft will only be flown in NATO airspace,” the Dutch government said.
The opening of the training center comes amid signs that Ukraine might struggle to maintain Western support for its war with Russia. A recent report from NBC News said the US has finally broached the idea of peace talks with Ukraine after over a year and a half of discouraging negotiations.
Timely. 🙄
The difference between a 30 year old MiG-29 and a 30 year old F-16 is the cost of the junk about to burn in Ukraine.
Russia is gonna find out though, aren’t they? (FA&FO)
Emil Cosman from Youtube: “If the US is looking for a prostitute, my country, Romania, can spread its legs the most.” You got to give him a listen. https://youtube.com/@emilcosman90?si=EIqjDs0A3VbmmoJq
Not only is he funny but he has many good points.
Nice targets for air to air missiles, ground to air missiles (S-300, S-400). Where will their base of operations be?? Not Ukraine. Germany? Romania? Poland?
Not sure the Russians have many S-300 or S-400 systems left — after Ukraine destroyed many of them.
if war-planes are launched by NATO countries then the war will suddenly be Russia vs NATO and that will totally justify Russia’s initial red-line in the sand which was “no NATO BS in Ukraine”
The Asia times reports that CIA Director Burns is in Ukraine to talk with Zelensky. Why?
simple matter to observe where they take off and land and then destroy the runways.
wouldn’t even have to shoot one of them down.