The representatives of Multinational Aviation Training Centre (MATC) and Training Command – Military Academy (TC – MA) Vyškov (CZE) visited Maintenance Training Organization (MTO) in Prešov (SVK). The main topic of discussion was the exchange of experiences related to the preparation of maintenance personnel. The next meeting is scheduled to take place in MTO Vyškov in June 2024 and will be attended by superior commanders from Air Force commands and the Ministry of Defences. The upcoming meeting will be focused on education and training of the maintenance personnel.

_{Written by PJ}

The 11^th MATC Steering Committee (SC) meeting was held in Prague (the Czech Republic) on November 23, 2023.

The main SC meeting subjects were the new SC Chairman election, the Programme of Work (POW), the MATC Multinational Budget (MMB) and the MATC FIN Plan for three years approval.

Hungary was designated for the chairmanship. The SC agreed that the next regular meeting of the SC will be held in Hungary in autumn 2024.

At the beginning of the meeting, the members of the SC expressed support for maintaining the project and focusing on changes, using future opportunities with the need for transformation and adapting to new directions of training using the advantages offered by MATC (such as the VAT refund system with the aim of enabling simplified access to training activities).

The MATC’s annual report was presented by MATC acting director LtCol Ladislav Zajíček, followed by a summary in the legal and financial fields, carried on with accomplished training review, MATC internships and, last but not least, AAW activities. Then the training program 2024, the financial plan for the upcoming year and prospectively for a period of three years were presented.

The final part of the SC meeting was devoted to future directions and activities, where, in the context of the current status of MATC personnel shortage, the need to conduct future meetings remotely was mentioned. This could help to maintain continuity in case of the portfolio expansion by training and cooperation with other organizations such as NFTE or MSAP. Training will continue to focus on existing and progressive areas of interest, such as UAS and ground personnel training. One of the ways to improve the face of MATC and promote it more thoroughly in a wider spectrum is to change the MATC key document – the Training catalogue. After the implementation of these changes, it would be possible to consider the expansion of MATC members.

_{Written by AK}

On December 12, 2023, the final Mutual Bilateral Airworthiness Recognition (MBAR) conference was held at the Permanent Representation of the Czech Republic to NATO in Brussels. The conference was attended by the directors of Military Aviation Authorities (MAA) and the acting MATC Director. During the conference, the directors signed Recognition certificates to certify mutual recognition of procedures for training aircrews, maintenance personnel, Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS) personnel, and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) at the Multinational Aviation Training Centre (MATC).

_{Written by PJ}

On December 7, 2023, the Framework Agreement on Training on L410 Full Flight Simulator was signed between MATC and Aircraft Industries a.s.

So was formally confirmed the integration of a private entity in the portfolio of MATC facilities, under the auspices of the Czech Republic. MATC can now provide a wide spectrum of L410 Full Flight Simulator Training (such as Type Rating Course, Renewal Training or Recurrent Training) for the Slovak Republic and, in the future, also for other interested MATC Participants.

_{Written by PV}

The final meeting of Mutual Bilateral Airworthiness Recognition (MBAR) took place in the Hungarian Ministry of Defence premises on October 9-10, 2023.

The participants agreed on the joint documents to prolong and extend recognition certificates of procedures and rules in training the aircrews, maintenance personnel, ATSEP personnel, and Unmanned Aerial Systems in the scope of MATC elements.

The Recognition certificates will be ceremonially signed during the Aviation Committee in Brussels in December.

In addition, this act has simultaneously confirmed successful cooperation among the Czech, Croatian, Hungarian, and Slovak MAAs not only for the benefit of the MATC but also, in broad scope, for an exchange of lessons learned and further harmonization, implementation of procedures applied in the Air Forces of individual participating countries.

_{Written by PJ}

The first MBAR working group meeting took place from MAY 23^rd to MAY 25^th at Military Academy in Vyškov. It has been dealing with mutual Airworthiness certification recognition among Military aviation authorities (MAA) of MATC countries. The conference has been considered very fruitful by all participating parties. It is an essential milestone in the certificate signing process, that will finalize the mutual recognition at the MAA directors level.

_{Written by TF}

On February 7 and 8, 2023, members of the MATC training branch participated in the Site Survey of Simulation Center Armed Forces Academy in Liptovský Mikuláš (SVK). Aim of this visit was to discuss current situation regarding training, legal frame and possible cooperation in the field of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in both participating countries – Czech Republic and Slovakia. Representatives of following institution took part in the event:

• SVK Armed Forces Academy Simulation Center
• CZE University of Defence
• CZE 533. UAS battalion
• SVK military aviation authority (MAA)
• Slovak Air Force HQ
• SVK General Staff of the Slovak Armed Forces

In recent years, Slovak soldiers several times attended UAS operators course in the Czech Republic (The University of Defence). Last year Simulation Center in Liptovský Mikuláš introduced their own UAS operators course approved by the Slovak MAA. Since then, one course has already been held and evaluated. Within the survey, both Slovak and Czech courses have been debated. The fact is that Czech armed forces in this field are way ahead of Slovak armed forces. Nevertheless, places of common interest do exist, Slovak armed forces now have the advantage when they can make use of Czech experience in this area and subsequently increase the pace in UAS field. Taking the global situation into consideration, it is essential to catch up with quickly developing trends and thus provide reasonable opportunities for enhanced future cooperation.

_{Written by TF}

The 10^th MATC Steering Committee (SC) Meeting was held on 5^th October 2022 at the Slovak Air Force HQ in Zvolen, Slovakia.

The main SC meeting subjects were the new SC Chairman election, the Plan of Work (POW), MATC Multinational Budget (MMB) and MATC FIN Plan 2024 – 2026 approval.

As a new SC Chairman, MG Petr Mikulenka was elected by SC members. The next regular SC meeting was agreed to be held in the Czech Republic in autumn 2023.

The annual MATC report was presented by the MATC director, Col. Karel Valvoda, followed by a summary of MATC’s training as well as AAW activities. Then the plan for the upcoming year and later on new legal and financial procedures were introduced. Steering committee members were also briefly informed about the current manning status of MATC, few replacements have recently occurred, some others are still pending.

In line with implementation of new MATC role after latest Operational MOU Amendment, new financial procedures were introduced to set up efficient acquiring process when dealing either with military or commercial training provider. This new framework includes benefits for every MATC participating country, such as the Credit Mechanism or the VAT Refund System, aiming to allow simplified access to training activities provided via MATC.

_{Written by TF}

On October 4, 2022, the planned MATC training conference took place, this time hosted by the headquarters of the Slovak Air Force in Zvolen. This meeting of representatives of the MATC training branch preceded the meeting of the MATC steering committee, which took place the following day.

The goal of this training conference was not to open completely new questions in the field of training due to the limited time frame. The main points were the coordination of the activities listed in the MATC Program of Work for 2023, the evaluation of the ongoing training and to express the initial feedback from the recent Site Survey in Szolnok (HUN). The most fruitful discussion took place over the method of coordinating the CAO (Counter Air Operations) training in 2023, the positive result of which was the confirmation of the intention by all MATC parties to continue this cooperation in the form of two joint CAO trainings next year.

In 2023, the MATC training branch is expecting three training conferences, with the intention to combine each of them with a site survey of an interesting place offering new training opportunities. The next training conference should be hosted by the Czech Republic in the spring of next year.

_{written by LZ}

On September 21 and 22, members of the MATC training branch led by the current MATC training leader LTC Ladislav Zajíček participated in the Site Survey of the military base in Szolnok (HUN). The offer to participate in this visit was used by all MATC member states, which sent their representatives to familiarize themselves with the possible types of training for international cooperation within the MATC. The main objectives of the visit were training on the Mi-17 flight simulator, tactical training of helicopter crews and water survival training. Furthermore, the participants had the opportunity to receive the necessary information about JTAC training options and the UAS (unmanned aerial systems) operator training program. Last but not least, all squadrons were introduced including their capabilities, flight platforms and main tasks. The main representatives of these units then attended a joint dinner hosted by the Hungarian side.

The time spent in Hungary was evaluated very positively by all parties and brought a lot of inputs to the discussion for developing new opportunities for cooperation within the MATC. In conclusion, a big thank you from MATC to the Hungarian side for its hospitality and helpfulness in organizing this meeting.

_{written by LZ}