Romania has confirmed the acquisition of 18 General Dynamics F-16 'Fighting Falcon' fighter jets from the Netherlands for a symbolic price of €1, equivalent to $1.17. This agreement was announced by Romania's Defense Minister at the NATO Summit in The Hague.
The transaction signifies more than just a purchase; it represents a donation from the Netherlands to Romania, adding to Romania's growing fleet of F-16s. These aircraft have been stationed at Romania's European F-16 Training Fighter Center in Fetești since November 2023.
Ionuț Moșteanu, Romania’s Defense Minister, and Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans finalized this deal during the NATO Summit held on June 24th and 25th. Moșteanu emphasized the importance of this agreement for training and regional security. He stated: "Today, in The Hague, I signed a memorandum alongside my Dutch counterpart, Ruben Brekelmans, confirming our shared commitment to make the F-16 Training Centre in Romania permanent. Here, Romanian, Ukrainian, and other allied pilots train side by side. This is an important step for the security of our region."