Inside NFTE: Expanding Allied Flight Training Across Europe and Beyond

In 2020, 10 NATO allies (Belgium, Czechia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Spain and Türkiye) agreed to expand flight training capabilities across the alliance through the creation of the NATO Flight Training Europe (NFTE) High Visibility Project. 

By March 2024, NFTE had placed ~50 student pilots at four locations, added nine new training campuses, and established an industry advisory body.

At Military Flight Training USA 2025, Jas Hawker, Principal Officer for NFTE, shared insight into the programme’s role in strengthening cooperation between NATO air forces and industry partners, as well as NFTE’s efforts to raise awareness and further expand the training network across the Alliance.

Ahead of the summit, Hawker spoke with IDGA about NFTE’s collaboration with the U.S. Air Force, the programme’s objectives for 2025, and how multinational cooperation is shaping the future of military flight training.