Creation of the MHTC
However, it is a basic principle underlaying all programmes run by EDA that as soon as they reach a sustainable level of support, maturity and output, the aim becomes to transfer them to a permanent facility hosted and managed by a Member State or organisation in order to enable EDA to free resources and engage in other collaborative helicopter activities to support filling new capability gaps reported by EDA Member States.
Against this backdrop, the decision was taken by participating EDA Member States in August 2019 to set up the Multinational Helicopter Training Centre (MHTC) programme with the aim to support the transition of the HEP, HTC and HTIC programes to a dedicated centre to be established in Sintra, Portugal, towards the end of 2023.
MHTC Mission
The MHTC's mission is to improve European military helicopter interoperability and capability through a coordinated approach to training Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs) and doctrine:
-
by increasing the ability of participants to safe and effectively train together and exchange best practices at the operators level, in order to enhance interoperability and helicopter tactical awareness in the current and future areas of operations and training notably by creating standardised procedures and by building up a European helicopter community and a cadre of instructors;
-
by delivering multinational advanced tactical training on a recurring basis with the aim to increase interoperability and standardisation, harmonise common TTPs, and create a repository of lessons identified and lessons learned coming from the different training and operational activities. Furthermore, it will allow the pooling and sharing of simulation facilities, instructors, knowledge, assets and training facilities and areas, sharing their costs and burden;
-
by aiming to improve deployment preparation and readiness, considering the current and future operational theatres;
-
an update of the common Tactics Technics and Procedure (TTPs), the HEP Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), used in all EDA helicopter training activities.
