US spent hundreds of millions dollars to build a F-16 fighter, Dutch sells 18 of them to Romania for €1: Here’s how much one Fighting Falcon actually costs

Romania has formally acquired 18 F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets from the Netherlands for a symbolic price of one euro, a deal announced and completed in early November 2025.

The aircraft are intended exclusively for use at the European F-16 Training Center (EFTC) located at Romania’s 86th Air Base in Fetești. This center serves as a key site for training both Romanian and Ukrainian pilots to operate the aircraft, supporting their respective air forces.

The nominal €1 price tag is largely symbolic and echoes previous weapons transfers within NATO, such as Germany’s sale of MiG-29 jets to Poland for one euro.


While the jets themselves were transferred at this token cost, Romania also agreed to pay a substantial Value-Added Tax (VAT) of approximately €21 million (around $24.1 million), covering logistical support and associated costs. This includes maintenance, training infrastructure, and operational expenses required to keep the jets mission-ready.

Market value of F-16

The F-16 Fighting Falcon, known for its versatility and combat effectiveness, carries a market price ranging from $30 million to over $60 million per unit, depending on the variant and upgrades. While the basic older F-16s can be much cheaper, the Block 70/72 versions, among the latest, have unit prices around $63 million.

For example, a recent contract approved by the US for 20 F-16 fighter jets sold to the Philippines was valued at approximately $5.58 billion, translating to about $279 million per jet when including accompanying weaponry, support, and training packages.

This starkly contrasts Romania’s symbolic €1 purchase price per jet, which highlights the nature of military equipment transfers within alliances like NATO designed for operational cooperation rather than profit.

According to Aerotime, Romania’s acquisition of these jets increases its F-16 fleet to 67, combining previous purchases from the Netherlands and Portugal, with further enhancements planned under a separate $6.5 billion agreement to purchase 32 next-generation Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighters starting from 2031. This strategic buildup reflects Romania strengthening its air force capabilities and its role as NATO’s strategic Black Sea gateway.

Defense officials from both countries praised the deal as a model of NATO cooperation. The move facilitates the Netherlands’ transition to newer F-35 jets while bolstering Romania’s position as a central player in European defense preparedness and training.