The centre was inaugurated on 13 November at the Romanian Fetești Air Base

Lockheed Martin will work “as one team” with its subcontractors Daedalus Aviation Group, Draken International, GFD (Airbus Defence and Space) and ILIAS Solutions to provide F-16 training at a newly formed F-16 Training Center in Romania, the company has said.

The F-16 Training Centre, the first on European soil, was inaugurated on 13 November at the Fetești Air Base in southern Romania. It resulted from the collaboration between the Romanian Ministry of National Defence, the Romanian and the Royal Netherlands Air Forces in partnership with Lockheed Martin.

As part of the agreement, the team will organise, schedule, operate and maintain the F-16 fighter jets provided by the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) in support of F-16 training. More in detail, GFD and Draken will provide experienced F-16 instructor pilots with recent front-line experience flying F-16s in the US Air Force and air forces throughout Europe.

To further complement the training, Daedalus will bring expertise in the European Military Airworthiness Requirements regulatory framework, including a part (145) which focuses on aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul, as well as on Continuous Airworthiness Management Organization (or CAMO), which focuses on the continuing airworthiness of aircraft. Daedalus will furthermore perform F-16 maintenance, repair and logistics activities supported by experienced Draken aircraft technicians.

To round out the training team, ILIAS Solutions will be responsible for providing integrated defence software solutions for logistics and sustainment, training management and flight scheduling.

“The F-16 continues to play a crucial role in 21st-century security missions for the United States, Europe, NATO, and allies around the world,” said OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager at Integrated Fighter Group, Lockheed Martin. “Lockheed Martin is proud to partner with the Netherlands and Romania on this European F-16 Training Center, which will enhance mission readiness through a comprehensive F-16 training solution for Romanian pilots. The centre will focus on ensuring effectiveness and safety of Romanians flying and operating F-16 fighter jets and could eventually expand to include training for other nations. Together, with our partners from Daedalus, Draken, GFD and ILIAS, we’re providing world-class training to enhance mission readiness and ensure safety of Romanians flying and operating F-16 fighter jets,” he added.

As part of the agreement between the Netherlands and Lockheed Martin, the RNLAF will continue to own the aircraft and maintain sovereign rights.