MMU Expands International Reach at Pitch Black
Report and photos by Daniel Vorbach
December 4, 2024
From little things, big things grow and that’s what the European Defence Agency under the MMU are doing.
The European Defence Agency (EDA) is an organization that aims to support the EU Member States and the European Union in improving their defense capabilities. The EDA facilitates cooperation in defense matters among European countries, fosters research and development in defense technologies, and promotes defense industry collaboration. Its main goal is to enhance the defense capabilities of EU Member States through collective efforts and resource sharing.
Since November 2012, when the Ministers of Defence for the 10 EDA Nations (Belgium, France, Greece, Hungary, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal & Spain) signed a letter of intent to jointly purchase a Multirole Tanker Transport fleet, the MMF was born. The Netherlands were the designated leaders of the newly formed MMF, with the intention of creating a joint European Air to Air Refueling (AAR) capability by 2020.
In December 2014 the MMF members negotiated with Airbus to procure a fleet of A330 MRTT aircraft, to be owned by NATO & in July 2016 the first two MRTT’s were ordered, to be delivered by 2020 & based at Eindhoven Air Base in the Netherlands. The first of the ten ordered A330 MRTT aircraft was delivered on the 30th June 2020 & on March 23rd 2023 the MMF achieved its IOC (Initial Operating Capability)
The youngest unit to participate in Exercise Pitch Black 2024, the MMU (Multinational Multirole MRTT Unit) was officially formed in 2019 & are drawing on Australia’s vast experience in operating the KC-30 aircraft. There is also representatives from Airbus on hand with simulator support to help all nations learn from each other.
Detachment Commander, Squadron Leader Marius tells us that with “two aircraft & three & a half aircrews, we are able to fly two mission a day, covering both day & night operations in three waves”.
“Our first training objectives were met for the exercise when the unit first deployed as part of the European Exercise, Pacific Skies 2024, which began its planning in November 2023”.
Pacific Skies 24 is a combination of five air force exercises, utilising up to forty-eight partner nations aircraft, across four continents & approximately eighteen hundred personnel, in which the German, the French and the Spanish air forces take part as European nations. During the five exercises, the MMU deloys to five different places worldwide.
First travelling to Alaska, they took on training with the United States in the multinational Exercise Arctic Defender. This exercise was led by Germany and serves to train NATO standards.
Upon completion, the European partners deployed to Japan, where the German Eurofighter fleet was split up. After a short break & change of crews five jets then deployed further to Australia together with the French and Spanish crews to take part in the multinational Royal Australian Air Force led Exercise Pitch Black. The remaining German Eurofighter jets stayed in Japan to train with the Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) in Exercise Nippon Skies. Making this the first time German fighter jets will train in Japanese air space. During this time, these jets also deployed to Hawaii to train together with the German Navy and international partners at Exercise RIMPAC. The joint German & French aircraft & crews in Australia deployed further to India, where they undertook further training in the Indian Air Force led, Exercise Tarang Shakti.
The Multinational Multirole Tanker
Transport Unit, comprising nations like the Netherlands, Germany, and Norway, plays a crucial role in Exercise Pitch Black. This year, their participation in the exercise is integral to the air-to-air refueling operations that are essential for the success of the training. The MRTT unit provides vital support by enabling aircraft to refuel mid-flight, extending their operational range and endurance during the exercise. This cooperation not only enhances the participating countries’ capabilities but also fosters valuable international collaboration in aerial refueling techniques and procedures. The MRTT unit’s involvement in Exercise Pitch Black showcases the importance of multinational cooperation in maintaining air superiority and operational readiness in complex training scenarios.
