The UK has tabled a proposal to Germany to create a joint European NATO suppression of enemy air defences (SEAD). The UK Ministry of Defence says that NATO and national "lessons learned" after last year's Operation Allied Force identified the lack of SEAD as a major shortcoming across the alliance.
Germany and the UK use the Panavia Tornado in the SEAD role, although there is limited commonality between the two nations' equipment. Germany uses the Raytheon AGM-88 HARM missile and the ECR version of the Tornado while the UK operates the Matra BAe Dynamics Alarm and the Tornado GR1/4.
Italy, which operates the Tornado in the SEAD role, could also join the process, notes the MoD. It also suggests that while the two forces have co-operated in the past this could be improved, possibly with the pair co-operating on the writing of standard operating procedures (SOPs).
But it adds that it is not proposing combining units or exchanging equipment. Germany has yet to formally respond to the MoD's proposal. If Germany agrees, the SOPs would take at least six months to draft.
Source: Flight International