A Romanian serviceman walks under a Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16 in a hangar at the Baza 86 military air base, outside Fetesti, Romania, Nov 13, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

KYIV - The European F-16 Training Center (EFTC), where Ukrainian pilots will learn how to fly F-16 fighter jets, opened in Romania, the Ukrainian media outlet European Pravda reported on Monday.

The EFTC, situated at the airbase in Fetesti in southeastern Romania, is set to become an international training hub for F-16 jet pilots.

The Ukrinform news agency reported that the European Union military aid for Ukraine has reached 27 billion euros (about $28.8 billion) since the start of the conflict, citing the bloc’s top diplomat

The facility will provide training for F-16 pilots from Romania and its partner countries, including Ukraine.

The training for Ukrainian pilots will last for about six months.

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According to Ukraine's public broadcaster Suspilne, the Netherlands will supply between 12 and 18 F-16 aircraft to the EFTC facility.

Ukrainian pilots started simulator training on F-16 jets in August.  

Also on Monday, the Ukrinform news agency reported that the European Union military aid for Ukraine has reached 27 billion euros (about $28.8 billion) since the start of the conflict, citing the bloc’s top diplomat.

High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said the EU arms supply to Ukraine has reached a record-high figure in the bloc’s history.

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Since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the EU and its member states have made available about 89 billion dollars in financial, military, humanitarian, and refugee assistance for Ukraine.

The military assistance included ammunition, air defense systems, tanks, and other weaponry and equipment.