Luxembourg MPs approve the treaty between Belgium and Luxembourg on the operation of the A400M fleet – À l’Avant-Garde
Luxembourg MPs approved the treaty between Belgium and Luxembourg on the operation of the A400M fleet.
On August 31, 2021, Belgium and Luxembourg signed a treaty in Luxembourg concerning the joint operation of transport aircraft A400M within the binational unit. In 2005, Luxembourg decided to acquire an A400M and asked Belgium to do so on its behalf. This purchase was based in particular on the Belgian-Luxembourg agreement on general military cooperation, programs for the acquisition and/or joint operation of equipment, signed on June 13, 2001 by the Ministers of Defense of the two countries. Until recently, the operation of the A400M was based on a memorandum of understanding concluded between Belgium and Luxembourg. To provide a legal basis for the joint operation of the A400M fleet and to ratify the treaty, the Luxembourg government tabled a bill in the Chamber on March 15, 2022.
The Belgium-Luxembourg A400M bi-national unit (BNU A400M) manages eight aircraft, including 7 Belgian and one Luxembourger. The Belgian Air Component provides support and is responsible for logistics support, joint crew training and maintenance. Investments and operating, operating and support costs are 1/8th financed by Luxembourg. The Luxembourg army undertakes to provide 3 crews, which is equivalent to six pilots (officers) and six trimmers (non-commissioned officers). The Luxembourg soldiers are integrated within the Belgian unit of the 15 Wing of Melsbroek. The crews are sometimes bi-national on certain missions. Last August, the Defense indicated that a Luxembourg officer, Captain Dan Olsem, the first Luxembourg pilot in 2012, presented himself at the head of the 20th squadron for the first time.
According to the part of the treaty on the functioning and operation of the A400M aircraft fleet, the use of Luxembourg crews and aircraft is supposed to be made without distinction of nationality. The unit is placed under the operational command of the European Air Transport Command (EATC). The two countries nevertheless have the possibility of withdrawing from certain missions or of providing for national reserves, according to the methods applied in the technical arrangements. “Luxembourg may, for example, invoke a reservation as to the use of Luxembourg crews or the Luxembourg aircraft in the event of politically sensitive transport missions, such as the transport of detainees, refugees, or the invocation of Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. In addition, the provisions of the legislation of the two nations must be respected, in particular during the participation of the binational unit in operations for the maintenance of peace “, explains the Luxembourg bill. In the event of Luxembourg not participating in a mission, Belgium may however participate and also use the Luxembourg A400M if Luxembourg does not prohibit it and vice versa.
Luxembourg MPs approved the bill on January 17 by a large majority of 58 votes in favor and 2 votes against from the Déi Lénk (La Gauche) party.