European Nations Launch MRTT Tanker Fleet Acquisition

The NATO Support Agency (NSPA) an NATO Support Organisation and the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) signed a joint agreement to launch the acquisition phase of the Multinational Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) Fleet (MMF) under the lead of the Netherlands on November 21.

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

The agreement marks a significant milestone in the European initiative to increase the air-to-air refueling capability for European Nations. This project after 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,” he added.

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.

“Combining the capabilities of both OCCAR and NSPA in a single programme facilitated by the EDA demonstrates the power of partnerships in delivering key European Defence capability,” observed Rowntree.

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.