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EATC: a model to follow

The control room of EATC in Eindhoven
The control room of EATC in Eindhoven

(BRUSSELS2) The European Air Transport Command (EATC), located in Eindhoven, is relatively unknown. And that's a shame ! Because it is a success of pooling, gently…

The '28' were not mistaken, however, in indicating in their conclusions of the European summit that it was important to take the "EATC" model as an example to develop other cooperation in different areas (helicopters, medical support, maritime, etc.). Five countries already participate in EATC - Germany, France and the three Benelux countries - Spain is due to join EATC this summer, Italy is in talks (probably for 2015) and Poland is watching this development closely, as is the United Kingdom (with a little more circumspection).

Integration and flexibility of use

Here, no pilot project, or theory, without means. The objective is to integrate the air fleet of the participating countries to maximize the mass effect, while leaving each country its sovereignty over the use of resources otherwise if it needs them. Flexibility of use remains the alpha and omega of this commandment. Each nation can thus, overnight, decide that it needs an aircraft for national needs. “ They don't have to justify the reason. Just tell us the duration, so that we can plan » explains the officer in charge of operations at EATC. “ This is one of the reasons for the success of the EATC – says General Valentin – this possibility of a reversible process. The principle is that nations put what they want when they want.

No planes but a regulation room

Discretion reigns. There are no EATC-branded planes, as such (even the Dutch planes present on the tarmac of the nearby military airport are discreet). But it is from Eindhoven where the orders come from. “ The crews receive their orders from us, to go to such a place or to take on such equipment or personnel. » « It's a change explains the director of operations. “And if they have any problem, they come to us. » EATC is not directly responsible for personnel at the disciplinary level – they remain in the national chain of command – or for liability and investigation in the event of an accident. This is called OpCon (operations control). That doesn't seem like much. But it's " already a revolution ».

On balance: 15% more productivity

As of last year (2012), 7682 missions were carried out. A stable figure compared to 2011. But with, on average, 15% fewer planes, because they have been decommissioned. Which represents, quite simply, a 15% improvement in productivity! On the passenger side, 345.000 passengers were transported in 2012 (compared to 305.000 in 2011).

Participation in missions

Participation in missionss military thus becomes much easier (and more discreet). During the operation " unified protector", in Libya, as well as " all EATC nations participated in supporting the mission, even if they were not participating in the mission directly. 347 missions were thus coordinated in Eindhoven. In addition to the 249 missions from France and the 56 from the Belgians, it can be noted that 29 missions were carried out by the Germans and 13 by the Dutch. In all, 12.400 passengers, 3500 tons of cargo, 3846 flight hours.

Another example for missions Serval and Afisma in Mali, 207 missions were carried out, 33.272 passengers transported as well as 2410 tonnes of freight to Dakar, Bamako Abidjan, N'Djamena. " Unlike Operation Unified Protector, there were long distances to cover. » And it was done, and made possible, “ often with contracted means”.

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Nicolas Gros Verheyde

Chief editor of the B2 site. Graduated in European law from the University of Paris I Pantheon Sorbonne and listener to the 65th session of the IHEDN (Institut des Hautes Etudes de la Défense Nationale. Journalist since 1989, founded B2 - Bruxelles2 in 2008. EU/NATO correspondent in Brussels for Sud-Ouest (previously West-France and France-Soir).