The National Defence Ministry (MApN) requested on Tuesday Parliament’s prior approval for the signing of the Framework Agreement for the training of pilots on F-16 aircraft.

The Framework Agreement for the provision of training services for flight personnel within the European F-16 Training Centre (EFTC) will be concluded with Lockheed Martin and is set for a period of 60 months.

The estimated value of this Framework Agreement is 612.4 million dollars, excluding VAT.

The joint standing bureaux forwarded the MApN’s request to the parliamentary Defence Committees on Tuesday for the preparation of the documentation.

„The current situation regarding the equipping of the Romanian Army with military equipment requires the adoption of urgent, coherently applicable measures that will ensure the adaptation of the military equipment acquisition system to the new security environment conditions and enable the full fulfillment of the missions and obligations entrusted to the Romanian Army at the national and international levels,” the MApN showed in the request.

Moreover, the document also mentioned that on 3 November 2025, a contract was concluded with the Kingdom of the Netherlands for the transfer of ownership rights for the 18 aircraft deployed to Romania for the European F-16 Training Centre at the 86th Borcea Air Base, which stipulates the condition to maintain training capacity for Ukrainian slots, as of 2026.

„Starting from 1 January 2026, with the transfer of the 18 F-16 aircraft, the responsibility for the operation, management and functioning of the European F-16 Training Centre will fall under Romania’s jurisdiction. Thus, for logistical and operational reasons, in order to continue the training of F-16 pilots on national territory, within the European F-16 Training Centre, the conclusion of the Framework Agreement with Lockheed Martin has been identified as a viable and sustainable solution. This Framework Agreement will cover the operation of the European F-16 Training Centre, as well as integrated logistics services. Therefore, the maintenance and expansion of the EFTC activities is not only an immediate necessity for F-16 pilot training, but also a fundamental prerequisite for a safe and coherent transition to the F-35, ensuring the continuity and performance of Romania’s air capabilities over the next decade,” the MApN also mentioned. AGERPRES