Lockheed Martin to establish European F-16 training center in Romania

Europe, News, US September 5, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

U.S. leading defense manufacturer Lockheed Martin announced a Letter of Intent to establish the European F-16 training center in Romania. The company signed an agreement with the governments of Romania and the Netherlands to set up the training center.

The European center of F-16 will focus on “ensuring the effectiveness and safety of Romanians flying and operating F-16 fighter jets and could eventually expand to include training for other nations,” the Lockheed Martin statement read.

Vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin’s Integrated Fighter Group (IFG), OJ Sanchez said, “Once details are finalized, we are confident the training center will ultimately benefit Romania and other regional F-16 operators, including potentially Ukraine.”

Lockheed Martin’s IFG vice president highlighted that “The F-16 continues to play a crucial role in 21st Century Security missions for the United States, Europe, NATO, and allies around the world.”

Sanchez added, “Lockheed Martin is proud to partner with the Netherlands and Romania on this European F-16 Training Center in Romania, which will enhance mission readiness through a comprehensive F-16 training solution for Romanian pilots.”

LoI F-16 European Training Center — *^{Letter of Intent signing for F-16 European Training Center. (Image Credit: Minister of Defense of the Netherlands)}*

For decades, the U.S. defense firm has been supporting F-16 fighter jets worldwide with extensive experience in pilot and maintainer training. According to the company’s release, Romanian and Netherlands aircrews are receiving training with Lockheed Martin F-16 simulators. “This training center will support readiness through an affordable, efficient sequence of ground-based and flight training missions,” the statement added.

At present, there are several hundred F-16 jets operating across Europe. Romania, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Poland, Greece, and Turkey, among other European states, are using F-16s to protect airspace and support integrated NATO peacekeeping missions.

The F-16 aircraft is a strategic and valuable choice for countries seeking advanced fourth-generation fighter jet capabilities at affordable lifecycle costs. At present more than 3,100 F-16 jets are operating in 25 countries. The latest version of the aircraft, the Block 70/72 offers advanced capabilities and will be flown by at least six countries.

*^{F-16 fighter jets flying in formation. (Image Credit: Ministry of Defense of the Netherlands)}*

Last month, the Netherlands and Denmark received approval from the United States to supply advanced F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. Soon after the announcement, Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy visited the Netherlands, and Denmark to finalize the agreement and announced that Ukrainian pilots had already begun training on F-16 jets. It is expected that Ukrainian pilots will also receive training in Romania after the establishment of the new European training center.