The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has awarded Elbit Systems a contract to support the organization’s Airbus A330 multinational multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) fleet.
Work for the five-year agreement will focus on the direct infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) systems that protect the planes from heat-seeking ground-to-air missiles.
The company will also deliver spare parts and maintenance services for the project.
“Demand for our DIRCM systems is growing due to increased threats posed to aircraft. We are proud to provide NATO with a logistics and service center for local repair and maintenance of our systems,” Elbit Systems’ Oren Sabag stated.
DIRCM Service Center in Luxembourg
The contract also covers the construction of a facility comprising logistics and support capabilities for the DIRCM systems at the NSPA headquarters in Luxembourg.
The site is expected to decrease the timelines of associated MRTT services and enhance the availability of anti-missile assets.
In the future, the center will expand its support for DIRCM systems in other NATO members’ fleets.
The MRTT currently serves air-to-air refueling, strategic transport, and medical evacuation in Belgium, Germany, Norway, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands.
“The Follow-on Support contract, and the new maintenance facility at NSPA, builds on our excellent relationship with Elbit and to ensure optimal support to our MRTT fleet,” NSPA MRTT System Manager Jan Der Kinderen said.