News item | 17-06-2025 | 15:52
The Ministry of Defense purchases new means to perform medical evacuations through the air. The American manufacturer Knight Aerospace delivers this Aeromedical Evacuation (AE) Capacity. With this, Defense strengthens the medical chain.
The purchase concerns a medical container, medical pallets and carriers for medical equipment. The Brazilian Embraer takes care of the integration and certification of the medical range. This can then be used in the C-390 Millennium transport aircraft from the same manufacturer. 5 of these devices ordered 5. They will be delivered in 2027, 2028 and 2029.
Medical Evacuations
The medical means enable defense to evacuate large groups of injured and sick soldiers.
In addition, the new purchase is a valuable asset for NATO partners and the European Air Transport Command (EATC), which coordinates air transport. Aeromedical Evacuation-Capacities are scarce. Being able to have this is therefore not only favorable for the Netherlands, but also for partner countries. Moreover, the medical capacity can be used during crisis situations, such as the COVID-19 Pandemie.
Greater volume
The helicopters of the Defense Helicopter Command (DHC) are also provided with the Equipment carriers. This offers benefits through a larger volume and standardization of the equipment. And with that also for the training and employability of medical staff. In addition, this makes certification easier, making faster introduction possible.