Netherlands-led NATO future Airbus A330 tanker fleet

[Stratofreighter]

...in Dutch: "Toekomstmuziek", but this plan is still very much going ahead.

After
http://www.e3a.nato.int/
and
the three-strong C-17
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO_Strat ... Capability
a NATO-tanker force is now in the works.

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articl ... t-buy.html

(Source: OCCAR; issued Nov 21, 2014)

On 21 November 2015 at the NATO Support Agency (NSPA) in Capellen, Luxembourg,
a Cooperation Agreement was signed between the NATO Support Organisation and the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR)
to launch the acquisition phase of the Multinational Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) Fleet (MMF)
under the lead of the Netherlands.

Participating in the signing ceremony was the NSPA General Manager Mr. Mike Lyden and Mr. Tim Rowntree, OCCAR Director, along with Mr. Rini Goos, Deputy Chief Executive, European Defence Agency (EDA).

This ceremony marks a significant milestone in the European initiative to increase the air-to-air refueling capability for European Nations.
“This project, months in the planning, is now beginning to take tangible form to realize an additional air-to-air-refueling capability for Europe,” said Lyden.
“The agreement between NATO and OCCAR exemplifies the collaborative spirit of our two organisations for the benefit of all.”

The Cooperation Agreement, signed between the NATO Support Organisation (NSPO) and OCCAR
covers the management of the Acquisition Phase of the MMF project
and sets the framework and conditions under which OCCAR
will manage the Acquisition Phase of the aircraft on behalf of NATO.

The current participating nations,
the Netherlands and Norway
have established a Support Partnership within NSPO which will oversee the acquisition and operational sustainment of the MMF aircraft.

[Alpha Kilo One]

No signs of which aircraft type they prefer?

[Stafsels]

Very hot hot news....

21 november 2015.....

[Richard from Rotterdam]

Obviously an elegant way for The Netherlands to cut even more in their defence budget by getting rid of the own tanker fleet. ...

[K-9]

Depends on it ...

This news has been in the pipeline for some time ...
The OSD of the dutch fleet will be somewhere around 2020.
A good initiative , i must say.

[Stratofreighter]

No signs of which aircraft type they prefer?

http://www.janes.com/article/46210/euro ... nt-project

Although not mentioned in this announcement, Belgium and Poland are expected to join the project also.

Airbus Defence and Space is likely to contest the requirement with its A330-200 MRTT platform, as is
Boeing with its KC-46A Pegasus.
Service providers AirTanker and Omega Air have also expressed an interest in bidding. (Please no, the RAF is already to suffer for decades... )

IHS Jane's understands that a downselect is expected before the end of the year, with a contract award due before the end of 2015.
Initial operating capability is scheduled for 2019.

It is with this backdrop that the EDA is looking to establish an organic tanking capability for Europe, along the lines of the NATO Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC), based at Papa Airbase in Hungary.
The SAC project sees three Boeing C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlifters for the benefit of the 10 member nations, plus Finland and Sweden.

[nils]

in terms of hose & drogue tankers, there will be plenty available once the Airbus A400M production is in full swing.
IIRC, all new production A400M are able to function as tankers, all the customer needs to do is fit the HDU pods under the wings.

for the F-35A however, you need a flying boom tanker (although Canada is equiping they're F-35A's with refueling probes).
if they want to stay european, with a low risk factor, i would recommend the A330-MRTT (also ordered by the UK, France, and possibly Spain to replace the old Boeing 707 tankers)

if cost is a factor, Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) is offering a conversion of used Boeing 767-300ER into 767-MMTT's, costing about half the price of newbuilt tankers.

[Worldnis]

On 18th December 2014 the Dutch Minister of Defence sent an update to Dutch parliament regarding the proposed acquisition of (the first) four A330 MRTTs for the European transport and tanker fleet. Along the lines of the SAC C-17 project, a new unit will be formed, most likely at Eindhoven AB in The Netherlands.

The Royal Neth AF will act as lead nation in this European project, for which nine European NATO countries have signed an MOU earlier in 2014. The European Defence Agency will act as project manager in acquiring the aircraft and negotiating with Airbus. It has been decided that there will be a sole source negotiation with Airbus for the A330. Initial contract is for four aircraft, to be delivered by 2020. Registration and European airworthiness certification will be in the Netherlands. Belgium has indicated that they are interested in maintenance (and 'operations' - basing?) of the aircraft.

IMHO Eindhoven AB would be able to accommodate the start-up of the new NATO unit, but as the fleet grows larger, there will be capacity issues (noise capacity, space and joint civil use)

More info here (in Dutch): http://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten- ... oject.html

Rob

[Stratofreighter]

Well, not much chance for Boeing according to
http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articl ... et-407333/

[ehusmann]

If this goes ahead (and I would be very surprised if it didn't), it basically seals the deal on probably all near-future tanker acquisitions in Europ. With the RAF, AdlA and EdA already signed up for it and the a joint tanker program going for it, it seems unlikely any other European nation will still opt for the B767 tanker. Leaving the Italians as the sole operator in Europe....

Erwin

[Agfaritsrats]

No signs of which aircraft type they prefer?

certainly there is.
The A330. With dual type refuell capab.
Consider 1 or 2 (or 3) will always be in the air and or TDY elsewhere, Eindhoven (or: NL) is IMO certainly possible as their home and perhaps that's partly why it is a 'Dutch led' project.

[Stephan Lodewijks]

The commander of Eindhoven AB has spoken of the KLu's ambition to have the new fleet stationed at Eindhoven on a number of occasions. This doesn't mean it will happen, but there certainly is the desire and Dutch support and possibly lobby for it.

Stephan

[mwpeters]

Probably the commander of Melsbroek AB or Papa AB (and many more) would also like to host stationing this new fleet, as this would also generates additional income and jobs for the region. A base commander is an executive not a policy maker, this would be determined by the Ministery together with NATO.

[Stephan Lodewijks]

That's true. But it's a start that the outspoken opinion of former Defence Minister Hillen to make Eindhoven 100% civil (or civil with the military as an occasional guest) seams to have dried up or put on ice by the current Minister. But it's a long way to go before anything is certain.

Stephan

[aviodromefriend]

That's true. But it's a start that the outspoken opinion of former Defence Minister Hillen to make Eindhoven 100% civil (or civil with the military as an occasional guest) seams to have dried up or put on ice by the current Minister. But it's a long way to go before anything is certain.

Stephan

Somewhere I read that Belgium is pitching Melsbroek for basing and maintaining these aircraft, so far from a done deal by now. But you are right, a lot of Hillen measures are being reverted by Hennis. Cougars to return to service, minehunters that are no longer for sale, I've also heard there are plans to reobtain battletanks, but if there is a role for Eindhoven in the tankerbase role? It has a job to do in its civil role in taking over flights from Schiphol. Don't know if there is enough noise budget for these tankers after the civil growth.