Military Technology EATC

6 · MILITARY TECHNOLOGY Special Issue 2021 Message has perfected this approach in the past and will continue doing so in the future. As such, in 2018, EATC identified a chance for pooling and sharing airlift on dedicated routes to mutual theatres of operation. From an initial idea to set up a shuttle system allowing efficient use of assets, EATC will continue conceptual thinking and in-depth planning with regard to the implementation of a so-called ‘hub-and-spoke’ system. The ultimate goal will be to combine the shuttle system with infrastructural and logistically improved main operating bases, linked to land and/or sea transport solutions. Operations can only be effective and efficient if the operational process is well-tuned. In this context, Operational Risk Management (ORM) plays a particular role. Although ORM is ultimately a national responsibility, it is also high up on the priority list for EATC. In the future, EATC will concen- trate on generating a more comprehensive intelligence picture. The out- put of the EATC intelligence branch will be further optimised in order to of- fer even better services to the nations. The ultimate goal being: to build an initial, all-encompassing intelligence picture as a basis for further analysis and mitigation of operational risks. EATC’s focus will be on transparent and open exchange of information between the nations during all phases of a mission, from planning and tasking till execution and reporting. New Fleets, New Structures, New Ways of Working Most of EATC’s member nations go through a transformation process. Legacy fleets are replaced by modern platforms (A400M, A330 MRTT, C130J) that are multi-mission capable. This also requires multi-mission capable aircrew, handlers and service providers. Moreover, these new Challenges – ”Doing the Right Things Right” to Get Ready for the Next Decade EATC proudly looks back on strong performances and great achieve- ments over the last decade. Now, time has come to consolidate and establish a promising future for EATC. Since its creation in 2010, EATC “did the right things”. We now need to ask ourselves if we ‘do the right things right’ to get ready for the next decade. Can we further improve effectiveness and efficiency? How do we integrate multinational units, reinforce cooperation with ‘third parties’ or strengthen the collaborative efforts with NATO and EU? We will be extremely attentive to the envi- ronmental changes. Unpredictable crisis and invisible challenges make us work, act and re-act in different ways. How flexible and adaptive was or is EATC in times of a pandemic? What about external initia- tives and influences that we do not control? Indeed, multiple questions come our way, for which we have no clear answers yet. Further brain­ storming, thinking and decision-making will be on our agenda in order to continuously shape and fine-tune EATC for its future tasks. The following lines provide a glimpse of what lies ahead for EATC. Interoperability, Effectiveness and Efficiency Enhancing interoperability, optimising effectiveness and improving efficiency are the main drivers for bringing new ideas and projects for- ward within EATC. To live up to this objective, it is of utmost importance to carefully listen to the needs of the member nations, to study their air mobility requirements and to stay in constant contact with them. EATC (Photo: Royal Netherlands Air Force) Brigadier General Paul Desair i i r l l ir