Page 32 - AirForces Monthly - Issue 381 (December 2019)

Intel
Report

The A400M successfully completed its first helicopter AAR contacts with an H225M on September 24. Over the course

of four flights – operated in daylight over southern France – the airlifter performed 51 dry contacts under the co-
ordination of the French DGA Essais en Vol flight-test centre. DGA Essais en Vol

“This co-ordination process is three. Original launch partners maiden flight on November 28 last the Czech Air Force commander,
about development of common the Netherlands and Luxembourg year at Getafe, Spain. Der Kinderen Major General Petr Hromek told
operational documents, support were joined by Germany and continued: “The first four crews AFM in mid-September: “I have
and harmonisation of requirements. Norway in 2017, which led to – each comprising two pilots and been discussing with the German
But for the day-to-day work on five more aircraft being ordered, a boom operator – are currently Air Force commander about
tanker requests we don’t expect and last year Belgium joined, undergoing ground training at working with his AAR-equipped
any differences compared to an air increasing the order to eight. [Airbus] Seville, Spain. They are A400Ms. There is some way to go
transport request. EATC chooses Der Kinderen commented: “These from Germany, the Netherlands yet, because the Gripen has to be
the most effective asset and tasks are not sovereign assets – the and Belgium, the only three certified as an A400M receiver.
an executing agency to fulfil it.” nations don’t own them but they nations that provide flying staff.” But I’m positive it will happen.”
have ‘assured access’ to the flying Aircrews have already been The Czech government signed a
MMF hours and the partner nations are selected from the participating letter of intent with Embraer for two
As mentioned in the October issue, the only ones that can use them.” nations to fly the first three KC-390s in 2010 and, if the purchase
the newly founded MMF is set to The Netherlands will take up aircraft. Colonel Jurgen van goes ahead, the Czech Air Force
take delivery of its first A330 MRTT 2,000 hours a year, equivalent der Biezen of the RNLAF took could eventually have its own AAR
next May 2. Jan Der Kinderen, the to nearly two aircraft, and as the command of the MMF unit on solution. Meanwhile, Portugal has
NATO Support and Procurement MRTTs are controlled under Dutch July 16, and is currently training ordered five KC-390s, which could
Agency’s (NSPA’s) MMF system military rules, all will wear Royal on the A330 MRTT in Seville. also address local tanker needs.
manager, recently told AFM: Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) Der Kinderen believes the MMF
“The A330 MRTT was our tanker roundels and serials. Belgium will will be of considerable interest French modernisation
of choice and a little different take 1,000 hours, Luxembourg to smaller nations that cannot Over the past few years there’s been
from the Voyager configuration 200 and Norway 100. The Czech afford their own tankers. He significant progress in efforts to
employed by the RAF. The UK has Republic signed a memorandum hopes the Czech Republic joining energise and increase Europe’s AAR
triple hose and drogues, which of understanding with NATO’s will be a catalyst for others to fleets. In April, EATC’s commander
includes the central station, but MMF on October 24 for 100 hours, follow suit, like Hungary with Major General Laurent Marboeuf
many of the participating nations which will increase the total hours its Gripens, and Slovakia, which told the Aerial Refuelling Systems
have aircraft that require boom to 8,900. Der Kinderen told AFM: will receive F-16s in 2023-24. Advisory Group (ARSAG) conference
receivers, so we needed a boom.” “Not all of the hours will be taken The Czech Air Force also hopes in North Carolina that the number
The MMF deal for eight A330 up by AAR. Many of the countries to continue addressing its AAR of AAR assets would triple by
MRTTs – to be designated will use the aircraft for transport needs with assistance from the 2025, due mainly to the expansion
KC-30M in service – also as well as medical evacuation.” German Luftwaffe. In the past it has of the A400M and MRTT fleets.
includes options on another The first NATO A330 made its worked with their A310 MRTTs, but The French Air Force has recently

The first of two KDC-10s currently serving the Royal Netherlands Air Force is expected to be retired by the end of 2019. Earlier this year, serial T-235 (c/n 46946)
‘Jan Scheffer’ received markings to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the RNLAF’s 334 Squadron – the tankers’ operating unit at Eindhoven. Alan Warnes

32 // December 2019 #381 www.Key.Aero

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