Press Release (98)112 12 Oct. 1998

NADC Activities with the Russian Federation 13-15 October 1998 Under the aegis of the NATO Air Defence Committee, a first joint exercise has been organised at Kayseri airbase in Turkey to carry out a static loading of a NATO mobile, air defence radar by a Russian Illuyshin-76 heavy transport aircraft. This will be a first practical test in preparation for potential cooperation in case of combined peace support operations. The invitation by the Turkish Authorities follows from an initial meeting in November 1997 in Moscow between a NATO team and a team from the Russian Federation when technical aspects of air-to-air refuelling and air transport of oversized air defence equipment were discussed. Follow-on loading tests in France and Germany are envisaged with ground based air defence missile systems whilst air-to-air refuelling tests/training may take place later in France and the United Kingdom. Note to Editors The NATO AIR DEFENCE COMMITTEE (NADC) is the senior advisory body advising the North Atlantic Council on all air defence matters and includes all NATO nations. The NADC meets twice a year with senior representatives from Partnership for Peace (PfP) nations. For further information on the NADC, please contact: Mr. L. van der Laan NATO - DS/ADAM B-1110 Brussels Tel: +32 2 707 47 63 Fax: +32 2 707 4103