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}

During the 2022 NATO Days programme, the new Framework Agreement on aviation training in the facilities of the LOM PRAHA state enterprise (LOM PRAHA s.e.), in favour of the Multinational Aviation Training Centre (MATC) was officially signed by directors of both parties of the agreement on Saturday the 17^th of September 2022.

This event took place in the auspices of the Czech Air Force Command on NATO Days with the presence of the Czech Air Force Commander major general Petr Mikulenka. The new contract will allow MATC to facilitate its new role in provision of MATC products and services given by the recent Amendment to MATC Operational Memorandum of understanding.

_{Written by KV}

This year, the second MATC Training Conference took place in the Croatian Military Training Facility „Mali Lošinj Barracks“ in the term  12 -14 July 2022. Representatives of all four MATC member countries met here to jointly discuss topics from the training branch.

The main theme of the conference was a more in-depth presentation of the individual structures of the air forces of the member countries. During the particular performances, a lot of spontaneous discussions arose, which brought new possibilities for the development of cooperation within the MATC. One such possibility is, for example, the training of flight instructors, when the Croatian side presented its own training program, which attracted the attention of all parties involved. The Hungarian side also has a lot of requested international training options within the base in Szolnok, which is why a site survey of this destination for September was tentatively agreed upon.

Excellent facilities and support from the host nation of Croatia enabled three days of fruitful discussion.

_{Written by LZ}

The Joint Training, Legal and Financial MATC Conference was held from 26th to 27th April 2022 at the MATC Directorate residence in Vyškov, Czech Republic.

The main goal of the MATC Training Conference was to find joint training activities and to start setting up a way of working together for the next period. The main MATC Legal and Financial Conference topics were MATC MoU Amendment No. 1 introduction and the related new contractual framework of LOM PRAHA s.e. products/services provided via MATC, with all legal consequences arising from it. The Conference outputs were introduced during the Training Conference in order to support the upcoming Counter Air Operations (CAO) Training, in which Trainees from all MATC countries will participate.

The Joint MATC conference has definitely fulfilled its purpose and its conclusions have contributed significantly not only to the successful implementation of the July CAO training but also to the consolidation of good relations within MATC.

Written by PV

MATC Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Amendment No. 1 has been signed on the level of Military Representatives to the NATO Military Committee during NATO Defence Ministers Meeting, held in Brussels 20 – 21 October 2021.

This Amendment is an outcome of two years lasting effort of MATC Working Group, composed of MATC legal and financial experts, in close cooperation with CZE MoD. One of the main ideas behind the Amendment No. 1 was to add an additional function to the MATC to be able to act not only as the intermediary but also as the provider of services/products in case of contributions that are not in Participants‘ direct ownership and control.

Certified copies of the MATC MoU Amendment No. 1 will be distributed to the MATC Participants in the near future, as well as the HQ SACT will be informed

Written by PV

The 9^th MATC Steering Committee Meeting was held on 20^th October 2021 at the Croatian military air-base Zemunik – Zadar, Croatia.
The main SC meeting subjects were the new SC Chairman election, the Plan of Work (POW), MATC Multinational Budget (MMB) and MATC FIN Plan 2023 – 2025 approval.

As a new SC Chairman was voted BG Robert Tóth, SVK AF Commander, by SC members. The next regular SC meeting is agreed to be held in Slovakia in autumn 2022.

The status of the MATC Directorate was reported, followed by a summary of MATC’s training activities with a view to next year and possible future new training opportunities. The success of MATC MBAR project conducted in cooperation with participating nations MAAs and its continuation was emphasized.

Steering committee members were also informed about the status of the amendment to the MATC MoU, following work on a functional and convenient legal framework, such as the MATC Credit Mechanism and the VAT Refund System, aiming to allow simplified access to certain products provided through MATC.

Written by PŠ

Written by PŠ