Why Romania Bought 18 Dutch F-16s for One Euro — And What It Means for NATO’s Future Air Power

Netherlands has formally transferred 18 F‑16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets that weer a part of The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) to the Romanian Air Force for the symbolic price of €1. The deal, signed on 3 November 2025, sees the jets – previously stationed at the European F‑16 Training Center (EFTC) in Fetești Air Base – become the property of Romania’s Ministry of Defence, for an extraordinarily cheap price.

However, the  price of EUR 1 was a symbolic gesture and excluded VAT. Romania will pay EUR 21 million in VAT, reported Romania Insider, and said that this price was calculated “against the declared value of EUR 100 million for the aircraft and support package“.

Specification	F-16 Fighting Falcon
Primary Function	Multirole Fighter
Contractor	Lockheed Martin Corporation
Powerplant	1 × Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-200/220/229 or General Electric F110-GE-100/129
Thrust	27,000 lb (120 kN)
Wingspan	32 ft 8 in (9.8 m)
Length	49 ft 5 in (14.8 m)
Height	16 ft (4.8 m)
Empty Weight	19,700 lb (8,936 kg)
Maximum Takeoff Weight	37,500 lb (16,875 kg)
Fuel Capacity	7,000 lb internal (3,175 kg); typical 12,000 lb with two external tanks (5,443 kg)
Payload	Two 2,000 lb bombs, two AIM-9, two AIM-120, and two 2,400 lb external fuel tanks
Maximum Speed	Mach 2 (at altitude) ≈ 1,500 mph (2,414 km/h)
Range	Over 2,002 mi ferry range (1,740 nmi / 3,220 km)
Service Ceiling	Above 50,000 ft (15 km)
Armament (Internal)	1 × M61A1 20 mm multibarrel cannon (500 rounds)
Armament (External)	Six air-to-air missiles + air-to-surface munitions + ECM pods
Crew	F-16C: 1 / F-16D: 1 or 2
Unit Cost (FY 1998 constant dollars)	F-16A/B – $14.6 million / F-16C/D – $18.8 million
Initial Operational Capability	F-16A – Jan 1979 / F-16C/D Blocks 25–32 – 1981 / Blocks 40–42 – 1989 / Blocks 50–52 – 1994

Data: US Air Force

The what, who, where and when of the F-16s that Romania purchased for €1

On 25–26 June 2025 at the NATO Summit The Hague in The Hague, the Netherlands and Romania announced that 18 F-16s would be transferred for a symbolic €1, stating that the F-18s would be used exclusively for pilot training at Romania’s F-16 training and instruction center.

Field	Details
Agreement Type	Intergovernmental Agreement
Romanian Signatory	Brigadier General Ion-Cornel Pleșa (Ministry of Defense)
Dutch Signatory	Linda Ruseler (Ministry of Finance)
Present Officials	Liviu-Ionuț Moșteanu (Romanian Defense Minister); Willemijn van Haaften (Dutch Ambassador)

Since 2023, five aircraft were already located at Fetești Air Base’s European F-16 Training Center, which will train Romanian, Ukrainian and allied pilots, affirmed Minister Moșteanu:

“By continuing the activity of the center, Romania reaffirms its strategic role within the Alliance’s defense architecture, while also upholding its international commitments and actively contributing to strengthening deterrence and collective defense capabilities. Our country reiterates its commitment to support Ukraine by providing the opportunity to train Ukrainian pilots at the center, thus making a concrete contribution to the joint effort to enhance regional security and to support Ukraine’s efforts and sovereign right to defend itself..”

The Netherlands, having retired its F-16 fleet, intends this transfer as part of its shift to F-35 and its broader commitment to NATO’s eastern flank.

Why the Netherlands was willing to transfer for €1

For Netherlands, several strategic considerations underpin the deal.

Netherlands transitioning its fleet from the F-16s

The Royal Netherlands Air Force (Koninklijke Luchtmacht) was among the pioneering European operators of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, joining Belgium, Denmark, and Norway to form the European Participating Air Forces (EPAF). The first Dutch F-16s entered service in 1979, marking the start of a 45-year operational journey that ended in September 2024, when the Netherlands formally retired its fleet.

Country	Program Name	First Delivery Year	F-16 Variant	Notable Milestone
Netherlands	European Participating Air Forces (EPAF)	1979	F-16A/B Fighting Falcon	Fleet retired in September 2024
Belgium	European Participating Air Forces (EPAF)	1979	F-16A/B Fighting Falcon	Continues limited service
Denmark	European Participating Air Forces (EPAF)	1980	F-16A/B Fighting Falcon	Transitioning to F-35A
Norway	European Participating Air Forces (EPAF)	1980	F-16A/B Fighting Falcon	Fleet sold to Romania

The final aircraft in Dutch service, F-16AM J-197, was among the last twelve operational jets. It was painted in a striking commemorative livery for the retirement ceremony, featuring squadron insignias, a large falcon motif, and markings of conflict zones where Dutch F-16s had served.

Further distinguishing this aircraft was the “Assembled by Fokker” inscription on its brake chute housing—a tribute to the Dutch aerospace manufacturer that built all Dutch F-16s (and several Danish, Norwegian, and even one Egyptian example) at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS).

• The farewell flight across former F-16 bases was shortened due to adverse weather.

• The aircraft did not retire completely; several were reassigned to international training and operational roles.

• Retired Dutch F-16s have since been transferred to the air forces of Jordan and Chile, with remaining units moved to Romania’s European F-16 Training Centre (EFTC) or donated to the Ukrainian Air Force.

Aviaiton News Journal added that “upgraded F-16Vs was still in production and “second-hand aircraft being transferred to South American and former Eastern Bloc countries, the Fighting Falcon will continue to grace the skies for years to come.” Here’s a look at the fleet of the Netherlands Air Force

Branch / Command	Aircraft Type	Model	Origin Country	Model Year	Active	Δ YoY	Ordered
Netherlands Defence Helicopter Command	Helicopter	CH-47F	🇺🇸 United States	1962	20	+6	0
Netherlands Defence Helicopter Command	Helicopter	NH90 (NFH)	🇩🇪 🇫🇷 🇮🇹 🇳🇱 Germany / France / Italy / Netherlands	2004	19	0	3
Netherlands Defence Helicopter Command	Helicopter	AH-64E	🇺🇸 United States	1984	12	+12	16
Netherlands Defence Helicopter Command	Helicopter	H215M / AS532	🇩🇪 🇫🇷 Germany / France	1978	12	+12	0
Netherlands Defence Helicopter Command	Helicopter	H225M	🇩🇪 🇫🇷 Germany / France	2005	0	0	12
Royal Netherlands Air Force	Combat	F-35A	🇺🇸 United States	2013	40	+6	12
Royal Netherlands Air Force	Transport	C-130H	🇺🇸 United States	1956	4	0	0
Royal Netherlands Air Force	Transport	C-390	🇧🇷 Brazil	2019	0	0	5
Royal Netherlands Air Force	Training	PC-7	🇨🇭 Switzerland	1978	13	0	0

Data: GlobalMilitary.net

Between July 2024 and May 2025, the Netherlands also handed out its ex- 24 F-16s to Ukraine. The pilots were trained at the EFTC alongside new Romanian Pilots, and according to The Aviationist:

“These aircraft have seen extensive action since their first arrival, being used for both offensive and defensive operations against the Russian Federation. In fact, the jets saw operations in Kursk the region, used for the delivery of precision munitions against Russian targets, as well as the shoot down of the Russian Su-35 air superiority fighter, possibly aided by a SAAB 340 airborne early warning and control aircraft. Ukraine continues to train its pilots at the EFTC as more and more F-16s are delivered from its partner nations in Europe and abroad.”

Besides the 24 F-16s that Ukraine received from the the Netherlands, the following nations have given their F-16s to Ukraine (and increasing their count of the F-16s to 87):

• Norway: 14
• Denmark: 19
• Belgium: 30

Sharing NATO responsibilities with Romania

By handing over the jets to Romania, a frontline NATO member on the Black Sea and eastern flank, the Netherlands strengthens allied readiness and supports pilot training in the region. As we’ve mentioned previously Ukrainian pilots will also be trained from Romania’s Fetești Air Base’s European F-16 Training Center.

According to Bgnes News Agency, Romania has two squadrons of F-16 aircraft stationed at Câmpia Turzii and Borșa air bases. These include:

• 18 from Norway, two of which were received last month. Additional fourteen will arrive in the nation by the end of 2025. [ A deal in December 2021 meant that Romania would be buying 32 F-16AM/BM for €452 million under the Peace Carpathian Three Programme]
• 17 aircraft purchased from Portugal (in 2016-2017 and 2020-2021)

This will bring Romania’s F-16 count to 67.  Romanian Defense Minister Liviu-Ionuț Moșteanu said that the acquisition of the F-16s from the Netherlands symbolizes “the completion of a significant stage” in the development of the EFTC, which had, in his words, become “a European hub for all states that operate or plan to operate the F-16.”  

Here’s a look the fleet of the Romanian Air Force:

Branch / Service	Aircraft Type	Model	Origin Country	Model Year	Active	Δ YoY	Ordered
Romanian Air Force	Combat	F-16A	🇺🇸 United States	1979	24	+10	20
Romanian Air Force	Combat	F-16B	🇺🇸 United States	1979	5	+2	0
Romanian Air Force	Combat	F-35A	🇺🇸 United States	2013	0	0	32
Romanian Air Force	Helicopter	SA330	🇩🇪 🇫🇷 Germany / France	1978	55	-2	0
Romanian Air Force	Helicopter	SA316	🇫🇷 France	1961	7	0	0
Romanian Air Force	Helicopter	AH-1Z	🇺🇸 United States	1967	0	0	24
Romanian Air Force	Helicopter	UH-1Y	🇺🇸 United States	1959	0	0	21
Romanian Air Force	Helicopter	H215M / AS332	🇩🇪 🇫🇷 Germany / France	1978	0	0	15
Romanian Air Force	Transport	C-27J	🇮🇹 Italy	1978	7	0	0
Romanian Air Force	Transport	C-130H	🇺🇸 United States	1956	6	+2	0
Romanian Air Force	Transport	An-30	🇺🇦 Ukraine	1968	2	0	0
Romanian Air Force	Transport	An-26	🇨🇳 China	1969	1	0	0
Romanian Air Force	Training	IAR-99	🇷🇴 Romania	1987	19	0	0
Romanian Air Force	Training	Yak-52	🇷🇺 Russia	1979	14	0	0
Romanian Navy	Helicopter	SA330	🇩🇪 🇫🇷 Germany / France	1978	3	0	0
Romanian Navy	Helicopter	H215M	🇩🇪 🇫🇷 Germany / France	1978	2	+2	0

€1 is merely symbolic, the real price is something different

Although the price of the 18 F-16s that Netherlands is handing out to Romania is €1, Romania will pay approximately €21 million in VAT and support costs based on a declared value of €100 million, reported Aerospace Global News;

“Although described as a one-euro sale, Romania paid around €21 million ($24 million) in VAT to cover logistics, spares, and maintenance support. The aircraft and associated equipment have been valued at roughly €65 million ($75 million).For the Dutch, the deal is more about alliance solidarity than revenue — a gesture reminiscent of Germany’s symbolic transfer of MiG-29s to Poland in 2002.”

So economically the deal is hardly “free”or what some have referred to as “a dirt cheap price”.

Background of Romania and the Netherland’s F-16s: Aircraft and Training Hub

The Romanian Air Force ranks 67 in the WDMMA rankings, while the Royal Netherlands Air Force ranks 63, which have a TruVal rating of 19.6 and 19 respectively. Let’s compare their numbers side by side.

Implications of the Romanian F-16 acquired from Netherlands for €1 for NATO and regional defense

With A) the F-16s formally transferred and B) the EFTC anchored in Romania, a permanent training hub is created for Romanian, Ukrainian and allied pilots.

According to The National Interest, the Ukrainian pilots who will train on the F-16s acquired by Romania will have an “easier time with the language, as many Ukrainians in the 18- to 29-year-old age group have higher English skills than those over the age of 30“. Some of the reasons for this is because the younger crop of pilots has a higher Exposure to English, largely due to exposure to social media, video games, and the internet in general:

“Last year, it was announced that future training would take place in Romania and be supported by alliance members, including Greece, with the goal shifted to streamlining and localizing the program. Ukrainian officials also began to prioritize training for younger pilots, as it wouldn’t necessitate the need to “relearn” on an entirely different platform. One irony is that many of those who would-be F-16 pilots will head to neighboring Romania instead of receiving the full American experience—including language training at Lackland Air Force Base (AFB) in San Antonio, followed by flight training at Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Arizona.”

The F-16s of Romania are employed for quick reaction alert (QRA) in the country’s air space and in the Baltic airspace as a part of NATO commitments: something they initially struggled with. But with the acquisition of more F-16s, it has certainly strengthened:

Flying with a mixed load of both AIM-9X and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, they intercepted a variety of Russian fighters, including Su-27 Flankers, showing how far the RoAF had come in such a short space of time. The last NATO air policing mission had taken place in 2007 with a number of Mig-21s, but the F-16 allows the RoAF to get back in this game on a level that is at parity with the Russian military.

The addition of the 32 Lockheed Martin F-35A it intends to buy (officially becoming the 20th F-35 customer at the end of last year) and expects deliveries in 2031 will further bolster its case. The F-35As won’t be valued at €1 though. It was valued at $6.1 billion.