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In Melsbroek, the binational A400M unit. A model of its kind

(B2) Belgians and Luxembourgers have chosen to pool their transport aircraft. Interesting initiative in more ways than one. A first for Luxembourg, which until now did not have a military transport plane

In the foreground, the five remaining C-130s, which will leave the tarmac in Brussels by the end of the year. In the background, the Luxembourg A400M (© NGV / B2)

A fleet of eight aircraft in the long term

The pool already has three planes (two Belgians and one Luxembourger). Eventually, it will have eight. Three additional aircraft will still be delivered this year 2021, and the last in 2024. They replace the Belgian fleet of C-130, which is out of breath. The last aircraft will leave the tarmac by the end of the year (or even before).

Everything is new

The 15th Wing air base, too, is being transformed, with new hangars designed to accommodate the new (longer than old) planes. " Here everything is new says the commander of the 15th Wing. " We must not only learn to fly, but we must discover a whole new environment. »

A binational unit

Everything is also multinational. Pilot training takes place in France, Spain, UK, Germany. The Belgians thus exchange with the French on theelectronic warfare (electronic warfare) — “ who have a lot of experience on this subject said a Belgian officer — as well as engine maintenance (a contract has been signed). There are exchanges on the crews with the British, technical information and training with the Germans. A necessity.

A first for Luxembourg

« It's new to have this ability confirms to B2 François Bausch, the Minister of Defense (and Deputy Prime Minister) of the Grand Duchy. Luxembourg did not have transport aviation so far. " It is a very interesting investment. This makes it possible to fill a gap in our needs, to fill real needs at EU level as well as at NATO level. "" This ability can be used in different ways, military or civilian.. Also at the level of humanitarian aid.

Francois Bausch (© NGV / B2)

A multipurpose capacity for the Grand Duchy

“We are very involved in the Sahel zone, whether at the military level or in development cooperation. » And in the event of a problem, the Luxembourg plane will be able to fly directly Until now. Luxembourg depended on others. " It is " important for us to have a certain priority, if we need it, for example in case of evacuation confirms the minister. And if it is not used by Luxembourgers, the plane remains in the European transport aviation pool (EATC) to be made available to other countries.

A fully integrated team

The six Luxembourg pilots and six logisticians are also fully integrated into the Belgian staff at Melsbroek airport (the military airport in Brussels). They can carry out all kinds of missions like their Belgian colleagues. Crews can therefore be mixed. And the nationals of some fly on the device of another.

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde, in Melsbroek)

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).

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