Steps taken towards "European tanker/transport programme"

[Stratofreighter]

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articl ... ation.html

Letter of Intent Signed on Tanker and Transport Cooperation

(Source: Norwegian Ministry of Defence; issued Nov. 19, 2012)

(Issued in Norwegian only; unofficial translation by defense-aerospace.com)

Defence Minister Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen today signed a letter of intent to participate in a multinational cooperation on procurement and operation of a fleet of strategic tanker and transport aircraft.

The signing took place during the EU Defence Ministers meeting where she attended the meeting of the Board of the European Defence Agency EDA.

“We want to look at the possibilities of cooperation with several EU countries on joint procurement and operation of tanker and transport aircraft.

With the difficult economic situation in Europe, it is increasingly important that we find and exploit opportunities for collaboration across borders, the so-called smart defense,” says Defence Minister Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen.

The Minister on November 19 attended the formal meeting of EU defense ministers in Brussels, where they also met as the board for the European Defence Agency EDA. They discussed further cooperation on capability development.

Also signed was an agreement on diplomatic clearance of military transport aircraft in Europe.

The agreement will simplify and harmonize regulations between countries, which will both strengthen the capacity and be time-and cost-saving initiatives, and help to strengthen European cooperation.

Background

This is the first time a Norwegian defense minister has been invited to participate in a meeting of the European Defence Agency. Norway has since 2006 had an agreement with the agency and actively involved in several projects.

The invitation to attend the Nov. 19 meeting should be seen as a result of Norway's active involvement and concrete contributions to developing defense capabilities at the European level. These are capabilities that will enhance both the Norwegian and European security.

Through cooperation in EDA framework, Norway is an important foothold in multinational cooperation capacity, where European allies and partners are participating.

Collaboration with the EDA also gives Norway a greater engagement with developments in EU security and defense policy.

The defense minister also attended the Nordic-Baltic Defence Ministers meeting. The themes of the meeting were Nordic-Baltic cooperation in Afghanistan, veterans, education, training and exercises, and joint efforts in defense-related security sector reform.


(EDITOR’S NOTE: Although it has published three separate statements on the outcome of the Nov. 19 ministerial and the meeting of its board, the European Defence Agency only mentions the above Letter of Intent in passing:

“A Letter of Intent on a European Strategic Multirole Tanker Transport initiative, prepared under the lead of the Netherlands, was signed during the Steering Board.”)

[Stratofreighter]

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articl ... force.html

Ten EU Countries Jointly Develop Air Refueling Capability

(Source: Hungarian Ministry of Defence; issued Nov. 20, 2012)

Ten European countries have signed a letter of intent committing them to jointly procuring and operating a fleet of tanker-transport aircraft, but no deadline has been agreed.

On Monday, November 19 ten European countries, including Hungary, reached an agreement in Brussels on cooperation in the development of military air refueling capability.

At the meeting of EU Defence Ministers, Parliamentary State Secretary Tamás Vargha represented the Hungarian Ministry of Defence.

The ten countries – that is, besides Hungary the EU members Belgium, France, Greece, the Netherlands, Poland, Luxembourg, Portugal and Spain as well as the non-EU member Norway - signed a letter of intent on the topic at the meeting of EU Defence Ministers.

Norway, which does not belong to the EU but is a member of NATO, had earlier actively cooperated with the European Defence Agency (EDA) in other projects too.

Under the newly signed letter of intent, they will jointly procure – either buy or lease – air refueling tanker aircraft. They have not decided on the type and other details as yet.

Also: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns- ... 5808.story

[michel N]

I thought France already selected the A330 as a replacement for the C-135FR?
And, as both France and Spain are involved in this programme, the A-330 will be a favourite I think...

[wamovements]

It is hard to say which one is favourite, as Netherlands and Norway most probably prefer the US KC-46A

[Stefan]

Let's not speculate. It will probably take many many years before anything materiliazes (if ever)