The Romanian and Dutch defense ministers on November 13 opened a training center for F-16 pilots some 150 kilometers east of Bucharest where Ukrainian pilots will learn how to fly the U.S.-made fighter jets.
Ukraine has been long requesting F-16 planes from its allies to bolster its dwindling fleet of Soviet-era MiG jets as it carries on with a counteroffensive in the face of significant Russian airpower superiority.
"We're looking into the most efficient ways to integrate and start the training of Ukrainian pilots as soon as possible," Romania's Angel Talvar said after he and his Dutch counterpart, Kajsa Ollongren, inaugurated the European F-16 Training Center at the Borcea air base.
The United States and Denmark have reportedly already begun training Ukrainian pilots on the F-16s.
A “small number” of Ukrainians started training at Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Arizona, last month, the U.S. Air Force announced on October 26.
SEE ALSO: Interview: Biden Seeks To 'Depoliticize' Ukraine and Israel Aid, Show Russia That Western Support Will Not FlagIn August, Denmark said nine Ukrainians had begun training at a military base in Skrydstrup, some 270 kilometers west of Copenhagen, along with maintenance and servicing personnel.
Netherlands has pledged up to 18 fighter jets for the program that will also train pilots from Romania and other NATO countries. Lockheed Martin, the U.S. company that produced the F-16, is providing instructors and maintenance personnel.
The first five Dutch F-16 aircraft arrived in Romania a week ago. Denmark and Norway have also pledged to provide F-16s to Ukraine.
Romanian media reported that the Ukrainian pilots' training will last for six months.
The F-16 fighter jet boasts a powerful 20mm cannon and can be equipped to carry bombs, rockets, and missiles.
During his visit to Bucharest in October, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he and his Romanian counterpart, Klaus Iohannis, discussed ways to speed up the training process for Ukrainian pilots to allow them to be "among the first on the front line."