Answering Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party deputy Mars Di Bartolomeo's parliamentary question, Minister of Defence François Bausch explained the current situation: 14 of the AWACS Boeings located in Geilenkirchen near Aachen bear the Luxembourgish flag. Roughly 70 of these military Boeing 707-320s have been built so far, and are in use with the US, British and French Air Forces as well as with NATO.
NATO has decided that the fleet will be withdrawn from reconnaissance missions in 2035. Until that happens however, the planes - known for their distinctive rotating radar dome - are to be kitted out with the latest technology, especially as concerns communication technologies. The upgrade should also enhance other aspects of their performance, rendering more efficient additional activities such as air police missions, evacuation, military support or anti-terrorist activity.
Bausch further explained that, aside from the financial cost - where the distribution key has already been established between 15 of the 29 NATO members - the process of modernisation would not incur any extra tasks for Luxembourg. One billion dollars worth of expenses cost the Grand Duchy roughly one million dollars, following Luxembourg's allocation of 0,10%.
In response to Déi Lénk MP Marc Baum, Bausch also elaborated on the Luxembourgish army's involvement in DEFENDER 2020, one of the most extensive military exercises Europe has seen in decades. With a total of about 37,000 soldiers, the Grand Duchy's contribution is fairly minor, providing only one team of four drivers and two trucks for six weeks in spring.
