The pilots who will fly the F-16 aircraft of the Romanian Air Force yesterday departed for Portugal to get familiar with the new planes. A total of 23 military including technical staff will train at the Monte Real Air Base. In a first phase, 23 military will be sent to Portugal, with another 67 to follow in the coming months. The training lasts two years. Nine of the trainees are pilots.
Romania will pay over EUR 628 M for the 12 F-16 aircraft which will equip the Romanian Air Force only in 2016, to become operational a year later.
The planes are used, but will be refurbished. They have been used by the Portuguese Army after been retired by the US. At the time it was made, the decision to buy the F-16 aircraft caused a huge scandal.
