“Collaboration is key” echoes within the walls of OCCAR in Bonn. What exactly is OCCAR? It is the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation. OCCAR is a European intergovernmental organization. It manages collaborative armament programs. These programs span the entire lifecycle. Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom are members.
OCCAR’s story began on November 12, 1996. Defence Ministers from France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom founded it. However, legal status wasn’t achieved until January 2001. The parliaments of the four founding states ratified the OCCAR Convention then. Other European nations can join. They must be involved in a substantive collaborative equipment program. This program must involve at least one OCCAR partner. They also must ratify the OCCAR Convention. Belgium joined in 2003. Spain followed in 2005.
Other states participate in OCCAR programs. They do not need to be member states. Turkey, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Finland, Sweden, Lithuania, and Poland participate in one or more programs. These countries are not formal members. Australia also participates as a non-member. Their focus is on the Boxer, Tiger ARH, and MU-90 Impact platforms. In 2023, Australia became the first non-European country to act as a participating state. It signed onto the MU-90 In-service support program. In November 2023, the Netherlands voiced its intention to join OCCAR.
The Board of Supervisors is OCCAR’s highest decision-making body. It oversees the organization. Each OCCAR program has a Programme Board for strategic decisions. A Programme Committee handles operational decisions. The OCCAR Executive Administration executes the programs. It follows the decisions of the supervisory bodies. Joachim Sucker heads the OCCAR-EA as Director since February 2023. The OCCAR-EA employs over 300 staff members.
OCCAR manages sixteen programs. These programs cover aircraft, intelligence, land vehicles, missiles and ships. Aircraft programs include the Airbus A400M Atlas. It also includes the Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopter. Another one is the Eurodrone. The Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport Fleet is also included.
Intelligence and communications programs feature the COBRA radar system. The Multinational Space-based Imaging System is another one. Also, Night Vision Capability acquisition for Belgium and Germany. Land vehicle programs include the Boxer multirole armoured vehicle.
Missile and torpedo programs feature the FSAF & PAAMS systems. The Future Tactical Air-to-Surface Missile is also included. The MU90 Impact is another missile program. Ship programs include FREMM frigates. Logistic Support Ships and Maritime Mine Counter Measures are other programs. The Thaon di Revel-class offshore patrol vessel is also managed by OCCAR. Finally, the U212 Near Future Submarine.
OCCAR facilitates European armament cooperation. It streamlines collaborative armament programs. Its headquarters is here in Bonn, Germany. OCCAR continues to evolve. It adapts to the changing needs of its member states.