2025 proved to be another defining year for the European Air Transport Command (EATC), reaffirming its central role in multinational air mobility, interoperability, and operational readiness. Throughout the year, EATC sustained a high operational tempo while advancing training, strengthening partnerships, and enhancing organisational resilience across its seven Member Nations.
Sustained Operations and Training Excellence
The year began with intensive operational activity, including strategic airlift, diplomatic missions, and humanitarian support operations, once again demonstrating EATC’s responsiveness and coordination capability. Training and readiness remained a priority, with key activities such as ACATT 2025 and DART 2025, supporting the continuous development of tactical procedures, disabled aircraft recovery coordination, and multinational interoperability.
EATC also welcomed several partner organisations, including the European Air Group and the European Defence Agency, reinforcing dialogue and cooperation on shared air mobility challenges and future capability development.
Interoperability and Aerial Refuelling at the Forefront
A major highlight of 2025 was EART 2025, hosted in Lanzarote, Spain. This flagship air-to-air refuelling exercise brought together multinational tanker and receiver crews in a demanding operational environment, significantly enhancing interoperability and collective proficiency. The Distinguished Visitors and Media Days provided valuable insight into the complexity and effectiveness of multinational AAR operations and led to a broad media presence, further increasing visibility of EATC’s core mission.
EATC further contributed to global standards and best practices through its active role at the ARSAG Annual Meeting, underlining its position as a key stakeholder in international aerial refuelling interoperability.
Strengthening Strategic Partnerships
Civil-military cooperation remained a cornerstone of EATC’s activities in 2025. Participation in the Civil-Military Aviation Summit and a dedicated visit to EUROCONTROL in Brussels advanced dialogue on integrated airspace management, crisis coordination, and technical interoperability between civilian and military aviation stakeholders.
In parallel, EATC hosted visits from representatives of the defence industry, including Airbus and Lockheed Martin, fostering exchanges on future air mobility concepts, technological innovation, and capability development.
Organisational Development and Resilience
September marked a significant milestone with the celebration of EATC’s 15th anniversary, highlighting a decade and a half of successful multinational cooperation and shared air mobility capability development. This reflection on past achievements was complemented by forward-looking discussions at the EATC Command Seminar in Bordeaux, where senior leaders addressed evolving security challenges and strategic priorities.
A key step in enhancing resilience was the successful execution of the first Deployed EATC (D-EATC) Proof-of-Concept at Volkel Air Base, validating the command’s ability to operate from a dispersed location and strengthening business continuity in contested or degraded environments.
Knowledge Sharing and Multinational Expertise
Knowledge exchange remained central to EATC’s mission. The Aeromedical Evacuation Day brought together experts from NATO, the EU, and partner nations to refine interoperable AE procedures, while engagement with exercises such as TARANIS 2025 and VOLCANEX 2025 further reinforced tactical airlift cooperation.
Beyond exercises, EATC also contributed to strategic dialogue by attending international forums such as the Berlin Security Conference and the Global Air & Space Chiefs’ Conference, ensuring continued alignment with emerging security trends and air mobility challenges.
Looking Ahead
As 2025 drew to a close, EATC emerged strengthened by a year defined by operational delivery, enhanced interoperability, and deepened partnerships. From multinational exercises and strategic dialogue to organisational resilience and innovation, EATC continued to demonstrate that collective air mobility remains a decisive enabler for European security.
Building on the achievements of 2025, EATC stands ready to address future challenges with unity, adaptability, and a continued commitment to multinational excellence.