Romania has acquired 18 F-16 fighter jets from the Netherlands for 1 euro ($1.15), to be stationed at the European F-16 Training Center in Fetești.
While the contract lists a price of just 1 euro, Bucharest will still pay about 21 million euros ($24 million) in VAT based on the declared 100-million-euro ($115 million) value of the aircraft and support package, making the deal largely symbolic between allied governments.
The aircraft will be used primarily for training Romanian, NATO, and partner-country pilots — including Ukrainians — reinforcing Romania’s role as a regional hub for F-16 pilot training and NATO air defense cooperation.
“By signing this contract, we mark the completion of a significant stage in the center’s activity, which proves Romania’s commitment to providing a high-quality training environment,” said Romania’s defense minister, Liviu-Ionuț Moșteanu.
Back in June, during the NATO Summit in The Hague, Moșteanu told his Dutch counterpart about the country eyeing the F-16s. At the same time, they signed an agreement to keep the European F-16 Training Center in Romania running longer.
He added that Romania plans to expand and adapt the center’s programs as more countries transition to the F-35 — including Denmark, Finland, Poland, and the UK — ensuring the facility remains relevant in Europe’s evolving fighter training landscape.
Dutch F-16s
The Netherlands has been phasing out its F-16s as it transitions fully to the F-35A Lightning II.
It pledged and delivered 24 of the aircraft to Ukraine for combat use, and has now completed the transfer of 18 to Romania to be used as training assets, leaving little to no active F-16s left for Dutch operations.
