Overview
- An intergovernmental contract was signed on November 3 in Bucharest by Brig. Gen. Ion-Cornel Plesa and Dutch official Linda Ruseler, witnessed by Romanian Defense Minister Liviu-Ionut Mosteanu and Ambassador Willemijn van Haaften.
- The former Royal Netherlands Air Force jets become Romanian state property and are assigned to the European F-16 Training Center at Fetesti.
- Romania is obligated under the deal to provide training slots for NATO and partner-country pilots, with officials confirming continued training for Ukrainian aviators.
- The transfer records a symbolic price of €1, with €21 million in VAT based on a declared €100 million value for the aircraft and logistics package.
- Officials framed the move as strengthening cooperation and deterrence on NATO’s eastern flank, following the Dutch shift to F-35s and bringing Romania’s F-16 fleet to 67 aircraft as it pursues future F-35 procurement.