The Memorandum of Understanding for European multinational fleet of Airbus tanker transport aircraft signed by Defense Ministers from Germany and Norway will reduce overall European shortage in air-to-air refuelling and the over-reliance on U.S. capabilities
The European multinational fleet of Airbus tanker transport aircraft was originally created by the lead-nation Netherlands and Luxembourg.
NATO has taken an important step in improving its ability to refuel aircraft in mid-air, with two Allies joining a European programme to acquire and operate new tanker transport aircraft, NATO said in a statement Thursday.
The two countries launched the initiative in July 2016 by ordering two Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft, which are due to be delivered in 2020. With Germany and Norway joining the initiative, the fleet is expected to expand to up to seven aircraft.
At today’s signing ceremony, Assistant Secretary General for Defence Investment Camille Grand stressed that “this initiative highlights the value of a multinational approach to capability development – working together provides cost-effective and flexible solutions.”
Belgium intends to join this programme in early 2018, and the initiative remains open to other new members. The procurement programme is another example of the increasingly close cooperation between NATO and the European Union.
The Pentagon has awarded General Dynamics with a Foreign Military Sales contract for the production of the critical components of Aegis missile fire-control system for the governments of the Republic of Korea and Japan. The contract worth $40 million is for the production of Missile Fire Control System MK 82 director and MK 200 director controller equipment, and associated engineering services, the US Department of Defense announced Tuesday
CAE has signed a contract with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) to provide training services, including instructors, for the NATO E-3A Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircrew training program. The training service is required for NATO Airbase Geilenkirchen in Germany, the company announced today
NATO is eyeing to spend $3.24 billion to upgrade its satellite and computer technology over the next three years
A top US Senator has pressed for selling guardian drones to India, which would be next major part of defense partnership between both the country. Democrat Senator Mark Warner and his Republican colleague in the Senate Dan Sullivan, during a program in Washington has asserted that the former Obama Administration and the US Congress designating India as a major defence partner is a major step forward in taking the India-US relationship to the next level
German Defense Minister Von der Leyen while defending NATO and the transatlantic relationship on Wednesday, has sought for clarification from the incoming US Trump Administration regarding its policy towards Europe. Questions on transatlantic relations abound as Donald Trump prepares to take over the White House
The Indian Navy has encashed bank guarantees of Reliance Naval Engineering (RNEL) following delay in supplying Project 21 Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) by over four years. RNEL has an order to supply five offshore patrol vessels (OPVs)
The 28-member European Union spent €200 billion ($222 billion) on defence in 2016, the same figure as in 2015, Eurostat announced Friday. The EU, most of whose members share NATO membership with the United States are under pressure from Washington to increase military spending and buy more American arms
Germany is likely to receive a classified briefing about the Boeing Boeings F-15 and F/A-18E/F Jets in November as it seeks to replace its over 25 year old Tornado fighters. It received a similar briefing provided by U
Germany and Norway have signed future cooperation agreement on naval defence equipment, including the procurement of new submarines. The two defence ministers, Ine Eriksen Søreide of Norway and Ursula von der Leyen of Germany, met at Eckernföerde naval base, Norway Ministry of Defense announced Tuesday
Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) on Sunday rejected NATO's target of spending 2 percent of national output on defense. The party leaders also accused German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the other conservatives that they are bending down to the demands of US President Donald Trump,
Lockheed Martin is being awarded $158.5 million modification to a previously awarded contract for Phase 2 mission system to upgrade mission computers, armament/ordnance systems and displays and controls on eight German P-3C aircraft
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