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| The Netherlands Will Soon Send F-16 FighterTo Romania To Train Ukrainian Pilots |
International Military - The Netherlands will in the near future send 12-18 F-16 fighter jets to Romania. The Dutch News Agency ANP recently quoted Dutch Defense Minister Kais Olengren as announcing the country's Windmill plans. The move is part of a broader initiative to train Ukrainian pilots to fly the multirole fighter jet.
As Olengren explained, the establishment of a Ukrainian pilot training center in Romania is making steady progress. "Our goal is to place a fleet of 12 to 18 aircraft in Romania in the next few weeks, so that the center can reach full capacity," he said, Thursday (12/10).
The Netherlands, along with Denmark and several other Western countries, is currently involved in active efforts to train Ukrainian pilots. These countries also have future plans to transfer certain fighter jets to Ukraine.
Previously, Dutch officials had expressed readiness to move up to 24 fighter jets to Ukraine, the rest for training purposes. A Ukrainian pilot with the nickname "Moonfish" who has flown the F-16 said the aircraft would reach combat readiness in the next 6 to 8 months.
He emphasized that the group of trainees consists entirely of experienced Ukrainian Air Force fighter pilots. Ukrainian MiG-29 pilots who switch to F-16s will first receive training using simulators. After that, they flew the legendary fighter plane.