The Czech Republic has become the sixth country to join NATO’s multinational tanker fleet following the signature of a memorandum of understanding in Brussels on 24 October.

The Czech Republic has become the sixth country to join NATO’s multinational tanker fleet following the signature of a memorandum of understanding in Brussels on 24 October.

Launched by Luxembourg and the Netherlands in 2016, the initiative aims to reduce European NATO members’ reliance on the US Air Force for aerial refuelling assets through the acquisition and operation of new tanker aircraft.

NATO

Existing members of the arrangement are Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Norway.

They will operate a pooled fleet of eight Airbus Defence & Space A330 multi-role tanker transports; delivery of the first two examples is due in May and June 2020, respectively.