Memorandum of NATO states and partners on the Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC) programme entered into force on September 24.

The programme is implemented by Lithuania, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Norway, etc. - 12 NATO members and two Partnership for Peace programme countries.

SAC programme was launched in order to solve shortages of NATO strategic (long distance) airlift capabilities through employment of strategic transports C-17. The aircraft model incapacitates deployment of troops, carriage of heavyweight massive cargos, military equipment, ammunition and rigging, and conducting logistic provision over large distances without landing and play an important role in international operations. The aircraft is capable of landing in austere airfields and ensure greater capacity of operation in theatre.

Only several NATO countries – the USA, the UK, Canada - are in possession of strategic airlift aircrafts, and the critical alliance need of such capabilities is increasing. Three C-17 Globemaster III transports will be acquired and used for NATO and the EU international operations on joint funding of participants of the programme. C-17 will be stationed in the NATO Papa Base in Hungary.

Lithuania’ s participation in the programme is counterbalanced by yearly 45 hours of flight for strategic airlift for regions of missions and the possibility to add to creation of the lacking joint NATO capabilities. Financial contribution of Lithuania – around 33 m Litas – will be provided in the period of 2008-2011 for the procurement of aircraft and maintenance equipment, installation of infrastructure, preparation of personnel, and other necessities. The term of aircraft exploitation is expected to last for about 30 years.

“Participation in C-17 project is important both for the national security of Lithuania and for security of the Alliance,” said Minister of National Defence Juozas Olekas.

Lithuania’s participation in the programme directly adds to strengthening its security since Alliance’s capacity to respond to contingency and redeploy allied forces within a strategic distance quickly is very important in case of invoking Article 5 (defining collective defence) of the North Atlantic Treaty.

The C-17 programme is one of the most efficient initiatives NATO has undertaken recently to enhance the collective spirit and bind members of the Alliance in interdependence in sectors of certain capabilities.

Such initiatives help enhancing one of the keystone security pillars – regional cooperation. Regarding the positive effect C-17 project has, similar initiatives are considered for the future in helicopter, logistic, medical, and other sorts of capabilities.