Brussels, Belgium—12 March 2026—Senior military and defence officials underscored the importance of multinational collaboration on airlift capabilities during a high-level panel at the 2026 Brussels European Defence Exhibition (BEDEX). BEDEX brings together defence professionals, industry leaders and institutional stakeholders at the heart of the European security ecosystem, in close proximity to NATO and EU institutions.
Major-General Ortiz-Canavate, Deputy Commander of the European Air Transport Command (EATC), and Dr Alexandre Verlaine, Head of Public Affairs and Protocol, attended the event on 12 March, contributing to discussions on strengthening European operations with the Airbus A400M and A330 MRTT fleets.
General Ortiz-Canavate took part in the panel themed “European operations with A400M, A330 MRTT, experience from joint cooperation Multinational MRTT Fleet (MMF)”, providing insights from multinational airlift operations with the A400M. Moderated by Ana Garcia Pardo, Head of Marketing Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space, the session explored how shared capabilities enhance operational readiness and interoperability among NATO allies.
Reflecting on the discussion, General Ortiz-Canavate said:
"Multinational cooperation is not just about sharing aircraft—it’s about building trust, standardising procedures, and ensuring our allies can operate seamlessly together when it matters most."
Dr Verlaine’s participation reinforced the importance of engagement between military leadership and defence stakeholders in shaping public and institutional understanding of joint capability development. Their presence at BEDEX reflects a broader commitment to fostering cooperation across nations and organisations at a pivotal moment for European defence.
BEDEX 2026 continues through 14 March, offering a platform for discussions, demonstrations and networking to advance Europe’s defence and security objective.