TRANSPORT PACT
Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands have agreed to establish a new co-ordination cell to manage the use of their military air transport assets, under a contract signed last month. To be headquartered at Eindhoven airbase in the Netherlands, the European Air Transport Command will begin preparations from mid-year and reach operational status by April 2009. It will initially oversee operations primarily with Transall C160 and Lockheed Martin C-130 transports, although three of its members are to later receive Airbus Military A400Ms.
EARLY WARNING
Pakistan has negotiated a reduction in the number of airborne early warning and control system aircraft to be acquired from Sweden from a previous plan for six Saab 2000 turboprops equipped with Saab Microwave Systems Erieye radars. Saab has confirmed a SKr1.3 billion ($190 million) reduction to the programme's previous SKr8.3 billion value, with this believed to equate to the removal of one aircraft.
SURPLUS FALCONS
Jordan is to acquire another six surplus Lockheed Martin F-16B trainers from the Royal Netherlands Air Force in 2008, under the terms of a contract signed earlier this year. The mid-life upgrade-standard aircraft will be delivered to Amman following the completion of planned periodic maintenance, with the Netherlands to also provide simulator-based training and to conduct modifications required by the USA before the aircraft can be transferred.
TURKISH PATROL
Turkey's first of 10 ATR 72-based maritime patrol aircraft will be rolled out within the next few weeks, says Thales, which is supplying the type's airborne maritime situation and control system payload. The aircraft is scheduled to make its first flight late this year, with deliveries to run from the third quarter of 2009, says senior vice-president aerospace François Quentin.
Source: Flight International
