Subscribe here: [ Ссылка ] The Romanian and Dutch defense ministers on November 13 opened a training center for F-16 pilots some 150 kilometers east of Bucharest where Ukrainian pilots will learn how to fly the U.S.-made fighter jets.

Ukraine has been long requesting F-16 planes from its allies to bolster its dwindling fleet of Soviet-era MiG jets as it carries on with a counteroffensive in the face of significant Russian airpower superiority.

"We're looking into the most efficient ways to integrate and start the training of Ukrainian pilots as soon as possible," Romania's Angel Talvar said after he and his Dutch counterpart, Kajsa Ollongren, inaugurated the European F-16 Training Center at the Borcea air base.

The United States and Denmark have reportedly already begun training Ukrainian pilots on the F-16s.

A “small number” of Ukrainians started training at Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Arizona, last month, the U.S. Air Force announced on October 26.

In August, Denmark said nine Ukrainians had begun training at a military base in Skrydstrup, some 270 kilometers west of Copenhagen, along with maintenance and servicing personnel.

Netherlands has pledged up to 18 fighter jets for the program that will also train pilots from Romania and other NATO countries. Lockheed Martin, the U.S. company that produced the F-16, is providing instructors and maintenance personnel.

The first five Dutch F-16 aircraft arrived in Romania a week ago. Denmark and Norway have also pledged to provide F-16s to Ukraine.

Romanian media reported that the Ukrainian pilots' training will last for six months.

The F-16 fighter jet boasts a powerful 20mm cannon and can be equipped to carry bombs, rockets, and missiles.

During his visit to Bucharest in October, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he and his Romanian counterpart, Klaus Iohannis, discussed ways to speed up the training process for Ukrainian pilots to allow them to be "among the first on the front line."

European Union nations have acknowledged a promise to Ukraine to provide 1 million rounds of ammunition to the front line by early 2024 will not be met. The EU made the announcement with much fanfare earlier this year, but Germany's German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has thrown cold water on the promise.

"The 1 million will not be reached, you have to assume that," German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said.

After a Tuesday meeting of EU defence and foreign affairs ministers in Brussels, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also cast doubt on the goal.

"So maybe by March we will not have the 1 million shots," Mr Borrell said.

Estonia's Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur, said it was crucial to ramp up supply of the ammunition.

"Look at Russia. They are producing today more than ever. They are getting shells from North Korea. Europe cannot say that … 'Russia and North Korea can deliver and we cannot,'" he said.

Some 300,000 rounds have been delivered from existing stocks in the EU so far. With the rest becoming increasingly elusive to source, Latvian Defence Minister Andris Spruds insisted the original target should not be taken too literally.

"Well, of course, 1 million rounds are symbolic. I think aspiration and ambition is important," he said.

In Ukraine's war with Russia, 155mm artillery rounds play a pivotal role. The daily consumption of 6,000 to 7,000 shells highlights its strategic importance.

Acquiring 1 million shells could secure stability for Ukraine for at least half a year, providing a substantial advantage in sustained operations and flexibility on the battlefield, observers said.

EU Commissioner Thierry Breton insisted the industry production target of 1 million rounds could be met "but it is now upon member states to place their orders".

However, EU members put the blame on producers.

"We have all signed contracts. We've done joint procurement. So industry now has to deliver. It has to step up its game to produce more," Dutch Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren said.

One way to get more ammunition, according to foreign policy chief Borrell, is to redirect current EU exports and prioritise Ukraine.

"About 40 per cent of the production is being exported to third countries," he said. "So maybe what we have to do is to try to shift this production to the priority one, which is the Ukrainians."

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