NSPA and Royal Netherlands Air Force sign LoI on MRTT training integration
The LoI supports A330 MRTT training for the RNLAF. (Photo: Airbus)
The RNLAF Air Mobility Command (AMC) has signed a LoI with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) for the integration of training for the A330 MRTT fleet.
This latest milestone marks the provision of required training to the Multinational MRTT Unit (MMU), in compliance with Dutch Military Aviation regulations. According to the NSPA, the signing of the LoI also avoids duplication of functions and facilities for MRTT training and simulation.
NSPA MRTT project manager Bart Hummel said that this milestone marked the starting point of the integration of MMU training into the Military Approved Training Organisation (MATO) of the AMC. The integration is in accordance with the future roles and responsibilities between AMC, MMU and NSPA, the required MATO and Flight Simulation Training Devices organisations and resources.
Related Articles
NSPA and Airbus sign mission simulator contract for MRTT fleet at Farnborough
This LoI signing follows the signing of a 10-year simulator and training contract for the A330 MRTT fleet between the NSPA and Airbus in July 2024 – a move intended to cut costs and saving MRTT flight hours.
The contract signing also fits in to the wider Full Mission Simulator Project, led by NSPA’s MRTT programme. The project includes the acquisition of training simulators for pilot and air refuelling operators, the refurbishment of existing buildings to house the simulators and the set up and implementation of an approved training organisation.
Alongside the Netherlands, nations that are in the MRTT support partnerships include Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Norway and the Czech Republic.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
Baykar’s Akinci: Local participation and export freedom drive $4.63 billion success story
The success of the Akinci drone stems from Turkey’s push for domestically produced components – which has led to fewer export restrictions – and from manufacturer Baykar’s willingness to coproduce the drone with customers’ domestic industries.
-
Lithuania air focus: Majority of $235.98 million drone investment to be spent before 2030
Lithuania has committed significant funding towards expanding its UAV capabilities, with more than $54 million already spent and substantial additional investment planned through to 2029. Alongside domestic procurement, the country has also acquired various drones to support Ukraine.
-
“A dominant force”: empowering Europe’s airborne ISR in a new era
European militaries face a new security landscape, with the proliferation of drones, theatre ballistic missiles and other threats boosting requirements for airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and related systems. For L3Harris, missionised business jets are central to meeting these needs, providing capability and flexibility in a cost-effective package.
-
Japan’s Terra Drone expands Ukrainian ties to break into global defence market
Following its investment into WinnyLab, Terra Drone unveiled a new long-range fixed-wing addition to its interceptor drone portfolio as it seeks to bring combat-proven technology back to Japan and expand into global export markets.