On 26 January 2021 NATO's Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) Management Organization (NAGSMO) officially transferred ownership rights and accountability responsibilities of the Programme's Mission Operations Support (MOS) Operational Element #2 to NATO's AGS Support Partnership Committee (SPC). This is the second MOS element handover since NAGSMO began its transfer of AGS assets to all 30 NATO Allies and represents the Programme's continued forward momentum.
This second MOS Operational element handover marks yet another milestone in the Programme's transfer of assets from the procurement phase into the operational phase, giving the Alliance ownership and operational leadership of a NATO AGS Core System. The custom-made system will provide all weather high-altitude long-endurance intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, both maritime and terrestrial, in real time, protecting both ground troops and civilian populations, and providing border control, maritime safety and humanitarian assistance. The goal is to support a full range of NATO missions, from protecting the aforementioned troops, civilians, borders, maritime, and ensuring humanitarian assistance, to crisis management and continuing the fight against terrorism.
“With the “Mission Support Element No 2" of the NATO AGS Core System delivered, the NAGSMA team is steadily and consistently driving this project home, providing a key component to NATO's Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (JISR) capability. Despite the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NAGSMA team continues to show its full commitment to the AGS Programme, day in and day out, going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure a smooth transition from AGS procurement into an AGS operational capability" – stated Brigadier General Volker Samanns, NAGSMA General Manager.
