Ukrainian pilots begin F-16 training in Romania

(ANSA-AFP) - BUCHAREST, SEP 13 - The first group of Ukrainian pilots has started its F-16 fighter jet training at Romania's regional hub this week, the NATO country's defence ministry told AFP on Friday. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Kyiv has been looking to boost its air force, asking the West to donate advanced military jets and sending pilots to train in NATO countries, including France. Romania inaugurated a hub for F-16 training at its Fetesti air base in November 2023, pledging to also train Ukrainians there. The first four Ukrainian pilots arrived earlier this week and have started their "theoretical training", Romanian defence ministry spokesperson Constantin Spinu told AFP. (ANSA-AFP).