BUCHAREST, Romania — Romania has signed an intergovernmental agreement to take ownership of 18 F-16 fighter jets from the Netherlands, formalizing its role as host of the European F-16 Training Center, the Ministry of Defense announced Monday.
The aircraft, already stationed at Fetești Air Base in southeastern Romania, will now be transferred to Romanian ownership and used to train pilots from NATO member states and partner nations. The move is seen as a strategic step in bolstering regional defense cooperation.
The purchase price for the jets was symbolically set at 1 euro, excluding value-added tax. Romania will pay €21 million in VAT, based on a declared value of €100 million for the aircraft and associated support package, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defense.
The agreement was signed in Bucharest by Brigadier General Ion-Cornel Pleșa, head of Romania’s armaments directorate, and Linda Ruseler of the Dutch Ministry of Finance. Defense Minister Liviu-Ionuț Moșteanu and Dutch Ambassador Willemijn van Haaften witnessed the signing.
Moșteanu said the deal strengthens Romania’s position as a key training hub for F-16 operators in Europe. He emphasized the center’s role in supporting NATO’s transition toward the F-35 platform and its contribution to collective defense efforts.
“By continuing operations at the center, Romania reaffirms its strategic role within NATO’s defense architecture,” Moșteanu said. “We also support Ukraine by offering pilot training, contributing to regional stability and Ukraine’s right to self-defense.”
The European F-16 Training Center, launched earlier this year, is designed to provide advanced tactical instruction to pilots from allied nations. Its expansion is expected to accommodate a growing number of trainees as NATO modernizes its air capabilities.
Ambassador van Haaften praised the partnership, highlighting the Netherlands’ commitment to joint security initiatives. She said the training center exemplifies the close cooperation between the two countries, particularly along NATO’s eastern flank.
“We are united in our support for Ukraine and in strengthening deterrence,” van Haaften said. “This center is a tangible result of our shared defense priorities.”
The transfer of the jets is expected to be completed in phases, with Romanian personnel assuming full operational control. Defense officials say the facility will play a critical role in shaping future air operations across Europe.
