NATO's COVID-19 mercy flights

摘要

When COVID-19 began to grip Europe, countries recognised the need to boost their personal protective equipment (PPE) stocks if they were to successfully fight the virus. Most governments turned to their militaries to support efforts to pick up kit from foreign countries. But among those without their own strategic airlifters, some opted to engage NATO's Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC) or Strategic Airlift International Solution (SALIS). The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) normally covers major multinational weapon system acquisitions for alliance nations and partners. However, the Luxembourg-based organisation also manages the SALIS programme and supports the SAC - as nations focused on containing the coronavirus outbreak during March and April, the agency moved into overdrive. The current disruptions to healthcare supply chains, plus high demand and restrictions in the transportation domain, have posed a major challenge for nations trying to secure much-needed medical supplies and equipment, The nations that turned to the NSPA to manage acquisition of PPE and arrange transport on their behalf also gained logistical advantages and economies of scale.