The NATO Assist and Procurement Company (NSPA) has awarded a multi-year contract to Airbus Defence and Area to offer Observe-on Assist Providers to the Multinational MRTT Fleet (MMF) till the top of 2032. This contract is a key step for the sustainment of the multinational fleet, which is able to quickly attain Preliminary Operational Functionality to offer six Allied Nations with strategic transport, air-to-air refuelling, and medical evacuation capabilities. Airbus will work intently with NSPA and the Multinational MRTT Unit, managing and main all facets of the fleet upkeep and follow-on help, together with aerial refuelling increase and PODs help, and air and floor crew coaching. This can embrace overseeing the efficiency of all sub-contractors, together with Rolls Royce and AirTanker, liable for the engine help and the upkeep execution, respectively.
“We’re very honoured to have been awarded the Observe-on Assist Contract. It was a troublesome competitors with the highest international gamers within the navy MRO business. Airbus intends to proceed supporting the MMF fleet for a lot of extra years, and is all the time prepared to incorporate further plane into our help mannequin,” mentioned Mr Stephan Miegel, Head of Navy Air Methods Providers of Airbus Defence and Area.
Commercial
“At the moment’s signing ceremony marks the accomplishment of a cooperative effort that began three years in the past. It has been an extended course of, however the result’s an unrivalled contract when it comes to scope, efficiency and value. This contract demonstrates the worth of competitors and the collaboration throughout nations to answer frequent defence and safety necessities. I need to thank Airbus and our business companions for his or her cooperation and useful contribution in the course of the negotiations. I’m so happy with the NSPA workforce who demonstrated the worth of our lifecycle strategy in help of recent defence techniques to the good thing about the Alliance,” mentioned NSPA Basic Supervisor, Ms Stacy Cummings.
On 31 August 2021, the fifth A330 Multi Function Tanker Transport (MRTT) plane of the Multinational MRTT Fleet (MMF) arrived at its Principal Working Base in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. The day earlier than, possession of the plane was transferred from Airbus Defence and Area to OCCAR on behalf of the NATO Assist and Procurement Company (NSPA), who manages the fleet for the MMF nations. The Airbus A330 Multi Function Tanker Transport (MRTT) is an aerial refuelling tanker plane based mostly on the civilian Airbus A330. A complete of 13 international locations have positioned agency orders for about 60 plane. The A330 MRTT cabin could be modified to hold as much as 380 passengers in a single-class configuration, permitting a whole vary of configurations from maximised troop transport to advanced customisation appropriate for VIP and visitor missions. The A330 MRTT can be configured to carry out Medical Evacuation (Medevac) missions; as much as 130 commonplace stretchers could be carried.
On 26 July 2022, a signing ceremony occurred on the MMF Ahead Working Base in Cologne, bringing collectively key stakeholders to mark the occasion. Representatives from NSPA, the Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation (OCCAR), the Multinational MRTT Unit, Airbus Defence and Area, Rolls Royce, and AirTanker attended the ceremony. Initiated by the European Defence Company (EDA) in 2012 and managed by the NSPA, the Multinational MRTT Fleet contains Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Luxembourg, and the Czech Republic, who’ve the unique rights to function the NATO–owned plane in a pooling and sharing association. The MMF stands as a primary instance of efficient cooperation between NATO and the European Union when delivering vital capabilities to their members. To this point, 5 out of 9 plane ordered have been delivered, with two subsequent deliveries anticipated within the coming days.
