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Preparatory studies regarding a potential Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) capability for NATO were initiated in the mid-1970's, in response to the then top priority military requirement of the Major NATO Commanders (MNC) to counter the increasing low-level threat from high-speed aircraft over both land and sea, while also providing additional capabilities to detect and track surface ships. It quickly became apparent that an international cooperative approach was the only feasible way forward. Thus, twelve nations decided to proceed jointly with the acquisition of a NATO variant of the US E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft. Agreements were enshrined in a Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MMOU) on the NATO E-3A Cooperative Programme, signed on 7 December 1978 by Defence Ministers. The NATO AEW&C Programme Management Organisation (NAPMO) was chartered as a NATO Production and Logistics Organisation to manage and implement the Programme, and to acquire a totally NATO owned, operated and maintained AEW&C capability. In 1999, Spain became a full member of the NAPMO.
NAPMO RESPONSIBILITIES AND STRUCTURE
In its Charter, the NAPMO Board of Directors (BOD) was granted farreaching autonomy in the management of all aspects of the Programme. The BOD meets 2-3 times per year to review Programme status, resolve major issues, and provide policy guidance. Two Committees (the Operations, Technical & Support Committee and the Legal, Contracts & Finance Committee) and a Depot Level Maintenance Steering Group also meet prior to each BOD meeting to review items within their specialist spheres and to provide recommendations to the Board.
Thirteen nations attend meetings of the BOD and its Committees as full, voting members. Based on its "contribution-in-kind" of six UK E-31) aircraft to the Force, the UK attends meetings and may vote on matters having a financial implication for the UK. The Czech Republic, France, Hungary and Poland attend selected meetings as observers. The active involvement of other NATO Bodies concerned with AEW&C in the meetings of the BOD and its Committees emphasises the benefits of effective coordination.
THE MANAGEMENT AGENCY
NAPMA RESPONSIBILITIES AND STRUCTURE
NAPMO's executive agency (NAPMA) is located at Brunssum in The Netherlands. It is manned by approximately 140 personnel drawn from all the nations participating in the Programme. The NAPMA General Manager is responsible for the...