OCCAR Legal Status 20-year Anniversary

On the occasion of the 20-year anniversary of the OCCAR legal status, an event was organised by OCCAR-EA at the Steigenberger hotel at Petersberg. Some 200 invitees attended the event, amongst whom the German Minister of Defence Ms Christine Lambrecht and the UK Minister of State for Defence Procurement Mr Jeremy Quin.

Both ministers signed a Joined Declaration, which was signed upfront by the Belgian, French, Spanish and Italian Ministers of Defence. The Joined Declaration is an initiative designed to strengthen and enhance the role of OCCAR in future cooperative defence programmes, with the aim to encourage all partners in Europe to join this successful venture.

The meeting was also attended by high level representatives of the civilian, military and industrial world as well as by the executive level of our fellow international organisations such as NSPA, EATC, EDA and DG DEFIS.

The German Minister of Defence approved the fly-by of a German A400M during the event. ESG presented A COBRA battlefield radar system, Eurosam set up a stand presenting the FSAF surface-to-air missile system and Theon/Hensoldt presented their Night Vision Goggles. Different OCCAR programmes presented mock-ups of their respective weapon systems.

A Round Table was organised where all 6 OCCAR Member States were asked how they respond to the Ukraine crisis and how they see OCCAR’s role in the European defence capability cooperation in the future.

This event marked an important achievement for the organisation and its future.

If you want to learn more about OCCAR and its programmes, please visit our website.