"The sale, which was announced this week, is largely symbolic, echoing an earlier sale of German MiG-29s for a Euro each to Poland, which later gave them to Ukraine. The latest deal helps the Netherlands clear space for newer jets while further solidifying Romania's role as a hub for training European militaries to operate the US-made F-16 Fighting Falcon, a combat-proven fourth-generation jet."
"The site was established in 2023 to train Romanian pilots on the aircraft and expanded to Ukrainian pilots the following year. The Netherlands still owned those jets until Monday, when they were formally transferred to Romania for 1 Euro ($1.15), plus a Value-Added Tax (VAT) payment of 21 million Euros ($24.1 million) for the aircraft and the logistics support package, the two countries disclosed in separate statements."
"Liviu-Ionuț Moșteanu, Romania's minister of national defense, said the contract marks a "significant stage" in the development of the EFTC at the country's 86th Air Base. "EFTC has turned our country into a European hub for all states that own or will own F-16s and we are considering expanding the training modules, as the F-35 program advances," Moșteanu added. More than a dozen NATO countries either already fly or are planning to acquire the F-35 Lightning II."
Romania received formal ownership of 18 Dutch F-16 fighter jets in a symbolic sale for 1 Euro, with an additional 21 million Euro VAT payment covering the aircraft and logistics support. The fighters had been stationed at the European F-16 Training Center (EFTC) at Fetești, established in 2023 to train Romanian pilots and later expanded to Ukrainian pilots. The transfer allows the Netherlands to free space for newer jets while reinforcing Romania's role as a European F-16 training hub. Romanian defense officials plan to expand training modules and anticipate integration with F-35 programs as more NATO countries acquire the F-35.
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