I Paesi Bassi trasferiranno permanentemente 18 jet da combattimento F-16 in Romania. Raggiungeremo 50 aerei

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.

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why not ukraine?