The European Union and Russia have agreed to form a pool of aircraft for deployment when national firefighting and search and rescue services are not sufficient to cope with a disaster.
Russia raised the idea for the Eurosquadron two years ago and recently won the support of Germany, Italy, France and Greece, says Yuri Brazhnikov, deputy head of Russia's Ministry for Emergencies (MChS).
The Eurosquadron will be established under the EU banner and will comprise aircraft and helicopters provided by the national emergency and security organisations. Russia would provide Beriev Be-200ChS amphibian aircraft and Mil Mi-8MTV and Kamov Ka-32A helicopters; and EU members Bombardier CL-415 amphibian aircraft and helicopters.
A first unit of the Eurosquadron could be formed in the summer of 2005, says Brazhnikov. Its base is yet to be chosen, with several European places under consideration, including Berlin's Shoenefeld airport.
The MChS has completed Be-200ChS crew training and operational trials and put two aircraft on duty.
Source: Flight International
