NATO-Russia cooperation in air defence
From the INTERNET DJ picks out a special piece on air cooperation between two former (?) antagonists
Last October, NATO and the Russian Federation began a series of practical exercises in the area of air defence, with the aim of testing the compatibility of their equipment and procedures, in the context of possible future joint peace support operations. These tests are part of a broader programme of cooperation on offer to Partnership for Peace partners in the field of air defence.
The series of joint tests with Russia began with static loading exercises with Russian transport aircraft and NATO oversized air defence equipment, and will be followed by air-to-air refuelling tests later this year. These exercises are particularly
opportune since they address aspects of two issues recently studied by the NATO Air Defence Committee (NADC): the first concerns the transport means for airlifting oversized air defence equipment; the second looks at the contribution of air-to-air refuelling to air defence operations. These two support functions have become of higher importance to air defence in the new security environment, where mobility and greater endurance are required to cope with increased unpredictability, short timelines, reduced force levels and peacekeeping operations.
The first static loading test took place from 13 to15 October 1998 at Kayseri air force base at the invitation of Turkey. A mobile NATO air defence radar (AN-TPS-64) was loaded into a Russian Iluyshin-76 transport aircraft employing the Russian loading technique of using trolleys to lift the load - a technique that turned out to be very efficient. The professionalism of the Russian and Turkish teams enabled the loading process, including the tie-down, to be completed within 90 minutes with practically no prior preparation.
The second static loading test involved a ground-based air defence weapon system and took place at Manching airbase from 8 to 10 December 1998 at the invitation of Germany. A Patriot radar set and launcher - together weighing more than 50 tonnes - were driven into an Antonov-22. The flawless operation took less than one hour, clearly demonstrating the professionalism of the two teams, who had never met before.
A third test is now being considered for later this year, involving a short-range ground-based air defence unit and an Antonov-124. This would complete the range of representative static loading tests.
Tests in the other key area of the programme, air-to-air refuelling, are scheduled to take place at Brize Norton in July at the invitation of the United Kingdom and at Mont de Marsan at the invitation of France. Ground tests involving French, British and Russian specialists with Iluyshin-78 tanker aircraft and exchanges on procedures and techniques are planned, as well as in-flight demonstrations of the interoperability of French and UK tanker and fighter assets.
This practical series of exercises, should lead to further cooperation in the area of air defence, contributing to the ability of NATO and Russia to work together in the field in possible future peace support operations. But it also serves as an example of the partnership potential between the Alliance and Russia in their shared interests of security and stability in the entire Euro-Atlantic area.
