NFTE to collectively train NATO pilots
By Monitoring Desk
Thursday – June 10, 2021According to a press release, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Spain, and Turkey are participating in the programme which will also leverage existing training infrastructure in participating nations.
As part of NATO’s flight training Europe (NFTE) programme, ministers agreed to create a network of European training centres for fighter jet, helicopter and drone pilots.
This NATO high visibility project will reduce training costs and increase interoperability among participating air forces.
“NATO troops operate and deploy together. So it makes sense that they also systematically prepare and train together,” NATO deputy secretary general Mircea Geoană said.
The operational core of NFTE captures participants’ contributions and services received.
Its design incentivises continuous investment by the participants in enhancing NFTE training solutions.
“Most importantly, by continually investing in high quality training for our aircrews, NFTE is helping the alliance to maintain its technological and military edge,” he added.
This first-of-its-kind initiative will involve the gradual build-up of a network of European training campuses covering different aspects and types of aircrew training.
They will provide allies with access to a wider range of training opportunities beyond what most allies could sustain independently and at a fraction of the cost.
NFTE campuses will provide aircrews with cutting-edge training, including the use of virtual reality technology and simulation.
