21. November 2014

Cooperation Agreement signed to initiate MMF project

On 21 November 2014 at the NATO Support Agency (NSPA) in Capellen/Luxembourg, a Cooperation Agreement was signed between the NATO Support Organisation and the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) to launch the Acquisition Phase of the Multinational Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) Fleet (MMF) under the lead of the Netherlands. 

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

Mr Mike Lyden, NSPA General Manager, and Mr Tim Rowntree, OCCAR Director, signing the Cooperation Agreement

This ceremony marks a significant milestone in the European initiative to increase the air-to-air refueling capability for European Nations. “This project, 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.” 

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 Mr. ROWNTREE.

Mr Mike Lyden, Mr Tim Rowntree and Mr Rini Goos, EDA Deputy Chief Executive

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.

Participants of the signing ceremony