Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) has always been one of the main pillars of air mobility for EATC. It is pooling and sharing par excellence. During operations, AAR tankers are often a pooled asset: a tanker from one nation may be required to refuel an aircraft from another nation.
In the past years, EATC built up a large AAR expertise in the functional and operational domain. The operational experts plan AAR missions from an early stage and guarantee successful joint military air operations. The experts from the functional division are engaged in enhancing interoperability and standardising AAR related tactics, techniques and procedures in cooperation with the member nations.
The number of tankers under EATC’s authority will increase in the coming years when for instance the A400M, KC130J and A330MRTT reach full AAR operational capability. Thus, as of 2025, the number of AAR missions will increase and EATC will be confirmed as a major force provider in Europe, with large operational options and reinforced operational effectiveness.
To achieve interoperability and to guarantee smooth common operations, it is of utmost importance that the nations train together in advance. This is why EATC introduced the European Air Refuelling Training (EART).The aim is to offer realistic scenarios to train tanker crews, planners, taskers and engineers in planning and executing missions in a multinational framework. This is why EATC runs EART in cooperation with major European fighters’ exercises.
For further information click here to download the AAR factsheet.
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