Le Bourget, 16 June 2025 — The European Air Transport Command (EATC) convened a high-level strategic conference during the 55th edition of the Paris Air Show, gathering military leaders and defence stakeholders for a focused exchange on the future of multinational air mobility.
The event unfolded in the prestigious setting of the French Air and Space Force’s VIP chalet, offering an exceptional vantage point on Europe’s most iconic aerospace stage. Attendees were welcomed from 13:00 onwards for an informal networking lunch, where senior officers and institutional partners engaged in candid exchanges. A dedicated coffee moment followed on the chalet’s terrace from 14:30 to 15:00, adding a touch of relaxed informality just before the conference began.
Promptly at 15:00, EATC opened the floor to a forward-looking dialogue on strategic airlift in the evolving European security environment. Discussions centred on key enablers of operational resilience, the role of innovation in future fleets, and the need for greater synergy between armed forces and industrial actors.
Participants explored the trajectory of multinational cooperation in military air transport, particularly in light of rapidly changing geopolitical realities and emerging technological landscapes. EATC leaders shared insights on upcoming initiatives aimed at boosting interoperability, enhancing mission safety, and reinforcing Europe's collective air mobility posture.
Among the high-level attendees were:
- Lieutenant General André Steur, Chief of the Netherlands Air Force
- Lieutenant General Achille Cazzaniga, Deputy Chief of the Italian Air Force
- Lieutenant General Dominique Tardif, Deputy Chief of the French Air and Space Force
- Major General Geert De Decker, Chief of the Belgian Air Force
- Major General Jonas Wikman, Chief of the Swedish Air Force
- Mr Joachim Sucker, Director of OCCAR
- Mr Gerd Weber, Head of the A400M Programme
This conference reaffirmed EATC’s commitment to driving operational excellence and fostering a cohesive vision for Europe’s future air mobility — not only through command and control, but also through strategic foresight and enduring partnership.
EATC extends its sincere gratitude to the French Air and Space Force for graciously hosting the delegation and providing an exceptional setting for this important event.