Twelve NATO allies have agreed to expand the alliance’s military aviation training through the NATO Flight Training Europe (NFTE) initiative.
Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Spain, Turkey, and the UK have confirmed the first-ever placement of about 50 student pilots across four training locations this year.
Additionally, the NFTE is setting up nine new training campuses and an industry advisory board to expand its program.
With the latest expansion, the initiative is now facilitating training in seven countries.
NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană said NATO promotes unity by systematically training together and forging trusting relationships.
“This important multinational effort will help us to break down national silos towards a shared approach to training the next generations of aircrews,” he stated.
NATO shared that more allies are expected to join the NFTE in the first half of 2024.
A Multinational Approach
Established in June 2020 to train pilots in an adaptable multinational environment, the NFTE aims to link training campuses together to address the learning requirements of various pilots.
Its first training campuses were established in 2021 in the Czech Republic and Italy.
The NFTE trains fighter jet pilots, helicopter and transport pilots, and personnel who remotely control other aircraft.