NATO to create special aviation programme
NATO has announced that Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary and Slovenia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create a Multinational Special Aviation Programme.
As part of the agreement a new training centre will be established in Zadar, Croatia, exclusively to train air crew for the insertion and extraction of special operations forces.
The programme will be established in a gradual, stepwise manner, expanding the training opportunities offered over time. The new centre is expected to open by the end of 2019.
Rose Gottemoeller, deputy secretary general, NATO, said: ‘As the world changes, NATO must continue to adapt to meet evolving security threats. And special forces have proven to be a highly valuable and versatile tool for effectively responding to these challenges.
‘This cooperative arrangement is emblematic of the innovative approach NATO allies and partners are taking as we enhance our collective defence capabilities.’
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