NATO Completes C-17 Agreement

[Rabbit]

NATO Completes C-17 Agreement

Sep 26, 2008
By Robert Wall/Paris and Douglas Barrie/London


The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has arranged 12 members to commit to acquiring C-17 airlifters, marking the first major weapon systems purchase for the alliance in 30 years.

NATO hopes to take delivery of its first C-17 in March. That aircraft is being provided by the United States as part of its participation in the strategic airlift initiative aimed at fixing chronic shortfalls for cargo hauling for the alliance. NATO, for now, is depending heavily on U.S. lift and chartered Antonov An-124 airlifters to support forces operating in Afghanistan.

Two more C-17s will be bought directly by the alliance from Boeing - and likely U.K. maintenance will go through the U.S. contract. Delivery of the two NATO-bought airlifters should follow around three and six months respectively from the first aircraft.

NATO will base the aircraft at Papa air base in Hungary.

The 12 participants so far are: Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, and the United States. The Czech Republic is still debating the issue, but chances are seen as slim they will commit. Italy has asked for an extension to sign-up until December.

NATO's last major aircraft purchase were the E-3 Awacs.


source: http://www.aviationweek.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[kiwi]

So more frequently C17's in the Netherlands for shipments to warzones. I thought I heard the RNLAF was also thinking about purchasing their own C17('s)?

[Rabbit]

So more frequently C17's in the Netherlands for shipments to warzones. I thought I heard the RNLAF was also thinking about purchasing their own C17('s)?

A few years ago that was the rumour rumours too (i remember Photoshopped photos of C-17's in the old blue/grey camo c/s and RNlAF roundels @ this board) but with the buy of 2 new C-130's and the participation in this NATO C-17 project i don't think de RNlAF still needs C-17's??

[jaah]

I thought Denmark was part of the deal as well.

[SquAdmin]

So, Papa will be used to host only three C-17's???

[Rockville]

So more frequently C17's in the Netherlands for shipments to warzones.

The Dutch government takes part for a total of 500 hrs annualy.

[flying_kiwi]

So more frequently C17's in the Netherlands for shipments to warzones.

The Dutch government takes part for a total of 500 hrs annualy.

As I've been told, the top three "users", will be the US (1000hrs), Sweden (550hrs), and ourselves.
These three countries will also be providing most of the crews for the aircraft.

Regards,
Yorden

[Rockville]

These three countries will also be providing most of the crews for the aircraft.

I'm anxious to learn the source of your info with regards to the participation of The Netherlands.
There has been a letter from the "STASDEF" about the filling of all personnel posts at "Papa" but up to now, there is a great silence on the part of the NL Defence organization.

[FISHER01]

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/sal ... ift-02630/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The C-17s will be configured to the same general standard as C-17s operated by the US and the UK Royal Air Forces, including night flying and air-to-air refueling capabilities (this means Block 17 standard, in all likelihood). The crews and maintenance personnel will be multinational, drawn from the participating countries and trained to the agreed mission profiles and standards. The planes may be used for whatever purpose the member countries desire, within their allocated flight hours.

The aircraft were originally slated to be based alongside American C-17s at Ramstein air base in Germany, but recent reports have them based at Papa Air Base in western Hungary instead. This would be a pure political decision, as Ramstein has already undergone significant NATO-funded infrastructure upgrades required to support operation of C-17s and other large aircraft. Acting as the NATO C-17 base would have qualified Ramstein for further NATO Security Investment program funding, however, and that is surely true of Papa in Hungary as well.

Under the current plans, NATO will buy 1 C-17, the USA will buy a 2nd aircraft, and the 3rd will be bought by pooled funds from the other members. The first C-17 was originally scheduled to be delivered to NATO by the middle or end of 2007, but that was moved back to mid-2008, then to late 2008.

Once deliveries begin, the goal is that additional planes would be delivered every 6 months. At first, all C-17s will be manned by American air crews. Other nations will contribute personnel for training, and within a year and a half the C-17 pool is expected to become a fully multinational operation like NATO’s existing E-3 AWACS pool.

[cHabu]

For completeness sake some words from Boeing on the subject:

NATO Consortium Completes Agreement to Acquire Boeing C-17s.

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 01, 2008 -- Boeing today announced that an international consortium of 10 NATO members -- joined by Partnership for Peace nations Sweden and Finland -- signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Sept. 24 to acquire three Boeing C-17 Globemaster III long-range cargo jets. The agreement sets the stage for NATO's first major defense purchase in 30 years.

Under the agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense and the NATO Airlift Management Agency, two of the advanced airlifters would be purchased from Boeing, while a third would be provided by the U.S. Air Force. The aircraft would be assigned to NATO's Heavy Airlift Wing and jointly operated by the nations from Pápa Air Base, Hungary. Delivery of the first aircraft could take place as early as spring 2009.

Each participating nation would pay for a portion of a C-17 rather than an entire aircraft, allowing them to share a pooled fleet. The 12 countries participating in NATO's Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC) program are Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden and the United States.

Credit: Boeing.

Full press release.

Bye, Chris.

[flying_kiwi]

These three countries will also be providing most of the crews for the aircraft.

I'm anxious to learn the source of your info with regards to the participation of The Netherlands.
There has been a letter from the "STASDEF" about the filling of all personnel posts at "Papa" but up to now, there is a great silence on the part of the NL Defence organization.

I know people , including a pilot who has heard that he has been selected to start training on the C-17.

Regards,
Yorden