Romania to host Ukrainian pilot training

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis has approved the transit of Finnish equipment and supplies to Ukraine as well as the relevant training of around 50 Ukrainian pilots, the Romanian parliamentary press service announced on Monday, 18 March.

The training of the pilots will take place in the second half of the year, at the Fetesti Air Base, south east Romania.

Finland requested Romania’s permission for the transit and training on its territory, as well as logistical support, in October.

Finland will initially foot the bill, with the costs to later be reimbursed the costs through the EU’s Military Assistance Mission in Support of Ukraine.

A letter by Iohannis underlines that the move “sends a strong message regarding the support of the collective defence effort”.

Romania is part of an international coalition for training Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets. The training centre was inaugurated in November.