NATO Sixteen Nations Special Edition 1/1998 AWACS takes off in the 21st century 31 March 1998

NAEW Preparing for the 21st Century By Javier Solana NATO Secretary General From its inception 15 years ago, the NATO Airborne Early Warning & Control Force has served NATO's political and military leaders beyond their expectations. The 12 nations in the NATO AEW&C Programme Management Organisation (NAPMO) own and operate a fleet of 17 NE-3A aircraft on behalf of NATO. Additionally, the United Kingdom owns and operates a fleet of six E-3D aircraft. Together, these two fleets form the NAEW&C Force, which is tasked by a common NAEW Force Command Hq. Further, I am happy to note that Spain is entering the NATO AEW&C Co-operative Programme this year, and subsequently the NAEW Force. This force, designed during the Cold War, has proven to be an extremely useful asset in crisis management and more recently during the last seven years in Peace Support Operations. Its flexibility and quick reaction capability play an important role, supporting NATO's new strategy, command and force structures, and their related concepts of operations. The 13 nations' (including Spain) multinational crew concept gives the fleet an important political dimension and is a visible symbol of Alliance solidarity. The Force's five-year continues contribution to the United Nations operations in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia has been outstanding, operating at a pace much higher than originally envisaged. This unique NATO force will continue to be an important asset to the Alliance, thanks to the owner nation's continuous willingness to support necessary modernisation. A "first step" seven-year modernisation programme for the NE-3As, agreed by the NAPMO Board of Directors, is nearly completed and is adding vital capabilities to the aircraft. A further "second step" seven-year modernisation programme, amounting to an investment of about one billion USD starting in 1998, has recently been agreed upon by the NAPMO nations. The UK is carrying out, or planning similar modernisation of their national fleet of E-3Ds. These programmes will further enhance and add urgently needed capabilities, adapting the aircraft to new and different missions in the present security environment facing NATO. I am confident that the NAEW Forces will continue to serve NATO successfully in the future. I remain grateful to the nations which, through their constant support of NATO's most successful programme, have and will continue to provide the Alliance with a most capable and modern Airborne Early Warning and Control capability.