TECHNICAL ARRANGEMENT
Concerning DIPLOMATIC CLEARANCES
for participants' military transport aircraft
in their respective national airspace or territory

(Consolidated Signature version)

1. Introduction

The Participants,

Considering that the implementation of the Single European Sky (SES) as depicted in the Regulation (EC) No 549/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the framework for the creation of the SES (the Framework Regulation) will most likely require a change in the existing diplomatic clearances mechanism,

Considering the Programme Arrangement (PA) No A-001-CAP-EATF-GC regarding the European Air Transport Fleet (EATF) signed in Brussels on 23 May 2011,

Considering any other bilateral or multilateral arrangements already made between the Participants with respect to the regulation of diplomatic clearances for military flights in the areas of air transport,

Recognising the need to develop innovative, efficient and more effective approaches to shorten the lead times for military flights in the areas of air transport,

Have decided to apply the following arrangements:

2. Acronyms

In the context of this TA:

- "ATC" signifies Air Traffic Control

- "DCN" signifies Diplomatic Clearance Number

- "DG" signifies Dangerous Good

- "DIC" signifies Diplomatic Clearance

- "ETA" signifies Estimated Time of Arrival

- "ETD" signifies Estimated Time of Departure

- "EW" signifies Electronic Warfare

- "IATA" signifies International Air Transport Association

- "ICAO" signifies International Civil Aviation Organisation

- "ISTAR" signifies Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance

- "NLT" signifies Not Later Than- "NOTAM" signifies Notice to Airmen

- "OPR" signifies Office of Prime Responsibility

- "TA" signifies Technical Arrangement

3. Definitions

In the context of this TA:

- "Annual DIC" signifies a DIC for military transport aircraft issued only between Participants signing up for option 1 (see Number 4.1), on a renewable basis, for a calendar year starting January 1st of each year.

- "Defensive Aids Sub System (DASS)" signifies an on-board system which defends a military transport aircraft from attack by surface-to-air missiles, air-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft artillery.

- "Flight Plan" signifies specified information provided to air traffic services units relative to an intended flight or portion of a flight of a military transport aircraft.

- "IATA/ICAO compliant DG" signifies Dangerous Good items that can be cleared for transport using the Annex 18 of the ICAO's Technical Instructions or IATA's Dangerous Goods regulations.

- "IATA/ICAO non-compliant DG" signifies Dangerous Good items that cannot be cleared for transport using the Annex 18 of the ICAO's Technical Instructions or IATA's Dangerous Goods regulations.

- "Military transport aircraft" signifies a military registered or operated aircraft designed for the carriage of personnel and/or cargo and used for non-commercial purposes. This includes Multirole Tanker Transport aircraft (MRTT).

- "Participants" signifies signatories to this TA and nations to participate through the Note of Accession.

- "Permanent DIC" signifies a DIC, other than the Annual DIC defined above, that has any kind of permanent character, renewable or not, issued by a Participant to any other country.

- "Transportation mission" signifies a flight primarily dedicated to deliver personnel and/or cargo to a certain destination performed by a military transport aircraft.

- "VIP" signifies all persons identified as Very Important Person by the sending Participant and recognised as such by the receiving Participant.

- "Working day" signifies a normal duty day in the State issuing the DIC

4. Purpose and Scope

4.1 The purpose of this TA is to improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of military air transport. To achieve this, Participants will use a unified format (European Union Diplomatic Clearance Form) and choose either:

- to issue an Annual Diplomatic Clearance and apply Harmonised Procedures to handle DIC for overflights and landings of the Participants' military transport aircraft in their respective national airspace or territory (option 1);

or

- to only apply Harmonised Procedures to handle DIC for overflights and landings of Participants' military transport aircraft in their respective national airspace or territory (option 2).

4.2 If the laws and regulations in force in the states of the Participants and/or bilateral or multilateral agreements or arrangements between Participants provide for less restrictive procedures than those laid down in this TA, these laws and regulations will prevail.

4.3 The provisions of this TA do not intend to conflict with the laws and regulations in force in the states of the Participants, nor with international law. If disputes arise, the other Participants will be notified, and international law, existing international agreements and the laws and regulations in force in the states of the Participants will prevail.

4.4 The scope of this TA does not regulate or include the payment of any fees and charges inherent to any DIC issue.

4.5 Air-to-air refuelling (AAR) missions are excluded from this TA.

5. European Union Diplomatic Clearance Form

5.1 The Participants will make use of the format "EUROPEAN UNION DIPLOMATIC CLEARANCE (DIC) FORM" laid down in Annex A of this TA.

5.2 The Participants may update the "EUROPEAN UNION DIPLOMATIC CLEARANCE (DIC) FORM" as described in Number 7.

6. DIC for Overflights and Landings of the Participants' Military Transport Aircraft in their Respective National Airspace or Territory

6.1 The Participants will declare their choice made between the options described in Number 4.1 through the mechanism described in Number 7 hereafter.

6.2 In exceptional cases where a Participant has an urgent DIC requirement or urgently needs to notify a flight, that Participant may contact the OPR designated by the Participant concerned with the overflight or landing. The list of OPR (template in Annex B) will be filled in and updated by the Participants in accordance with the mechanism laid down in Number 7.

6.3 Annual DIC

6.3.1 An Annual DIC will be issued on a renewable basis, for a calendar year starting January 1st of each year.

6.3.2 Military transport aircraft of the Participants will be permitted to fly over each other country's territory and to land at and take-off from military and civilian airports (to the exception of the airports and/or areas specifically mentioned in the list of exempted airports and/or areas (template in Annex C) to be completed by each Participant in accordance with the mechanism laid down in Number 7) whilst adhering to all national rules, international agreements, ICAO rules, restrictions described in the national military and civilian Aeronautical Information Publications, ATC regulations, NOTAMs or other special requirements.

6.3.3 The Annual DIC is valid for all transportation missions, carrying all types of cargo (excluding ICAO/IATA non-compliant dangerous goods), overflying or landing in the respective Participants' national airspace or territory, including support to any operation. The Participant may place a specific reservation on a particular operation following the mechanism laid down in Number 7.

6.3.4 The Annual DIC is valid for all Participants' military transport aircraft needed to support the missions specified in Number 6.3.3 above.

6.3.5 During the sojourn in the airspace or territory concerned, any type of ISTAR and/or EW equipment as well as Defensive Aids Sub Systems will be put in "OFF", "INACTIVE", "SAFE" or "STAND-BY" mode.

6.3.6 When using the Annual DIC, the DCN will be mentioned in item 18 of the ICAO Flight Plan. Additionally, the Participants will notify the flights as follows:

a. For flights with VIP on board:

- Overflights: not required.

- Landings: NLT 1 working day before ETD.

b. For flights with ICAO/IATA compliant DG:

- Overflights and landings: not required.

c. For flights with ICAO/IATA non-compliant DG:

- The Annual DIC does not cover flights with ICAO/IATA non-compliant goods.

d. For all other flights: not required.

e. For aircraft carrying ISTAR and EW equipment a notification period of 1 working day is required.

6.4 Harmonised Procedures to handle DIC

6.4.1 Notification period for transportation flights covered by a permanent DIC:

a. For flights with VIP on board: NLT 1 working day before ETD.

b. For flights with ICAO/IATA-compliant DG: NLT 1 working day before ETD.

c. For flights with ICAO/IATA non-compliant DG: this Number of the TA does not cover flights with ICAO/IATA non-compliant goods.

d. For other flights (transport of passengers and material other than DG): NLT 1 working day before ETD.

6.4.2 Request period for transportation flights not covered by a permanent DIC:

a. For flights with VIP on board:

- Overflights: NLT 2 working days before ETD.

- Landings: NLT 4 working days before ETD.

b. For flights and landings with ICAO/IATA compliant DG: NLT 2 working days before ETD.

c. For flights and landings with ICAO/IATA non-compliant DG: NLT 10 working days before ETD.

d. For other flights (transport of passengers and material other than DG):

- Overflights and landings: NLT 2 working days before ETD.

6.4.3 A DIC will be valid for a period of 24 hours before ETD until 72 hours after ETA.

6.4.4 The Harmonised Procedures do not cover flights of aircraft carrying ISTAR and EW equipment.

7. Registration Mechanism

7.1 A web-based registration mechanism will be established among the Participants in order to register or update the following elements:

a. Declaration of chosen option (template in Annex E).

b. List of "OPR" (template in Annex B).

c. List of exempted airports and/or areas (template in Annex C).

7.2 Participants will declare their chosen option at the signature of the TA and register it for the first time not later than at the date this TA enters into effect.

7.3 Participants will fill in the list of "OPR" in the registration mechanism for the first time not later than the date this TA enters into effect.

7.4 Participants will inform all other Participants on specific reservations they could make on a particular operation and hereby suspend temporarily the annual DIC until further notice.

7.5 A State wishing to accede to this TA will register the elements provided in Number 7.1 not later than 10 days after it has been granted access to the registration mechanism.

7.6 The custodian of the registration mechanism will be the DIC Secretariat. This function will be performed by the European Defence Agency.

7.7 The DIC Secretariat will maintain the up to date version of the "EUROPEAN UNION DIPLOMATIC CLEARANCE (DIC) FORM" in Annex A.

8. Disputes

Any difference in the interpretation or application of this TA will be resolved by consultation between the Participants.

9. Final Provisions

9.1 This TA is open for signature by any EU Member State or Schengen Agreement State or Ministries thereof until 01 June 2013 and will come into effect on that date for the Participants who have signed it.

9.2 EU Member States or Schengen Agreement States wishing to join after 01 June 2013 will do this through the Note of Accession (template in Annex D) and will become a Participant after unanimous consent of the existing Participants. The Note of Accession will enter into effect on the date of its last signature by the Participants and the acceding Participant.

9.3 Participants may change from one option to the other by giving notice in writing to the other Participants.

9.4 This TA may be amended at any time, in writing, with the unanimous consent of the Participants. Amendments will come into effect three months after the date of the last signature of the Participants.

9.5 This TA will remain in effect unless all Participants consent in writing to its termination.

9.6 A Participant may withdraw from this TA at any time by giving 2 months notice in writing to the other Participants.

Signed in the English language. The original of this TA, all further amendments and the Notes of Accession will be filed with the DIC Secretariat, which will provide true certified copies to each Participant

Signing for Option 1, for the Ministry of Defence of the Kingdom of Belgium represented by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium

Signature……………………………………….

Place………………………….…………………

Date………………………….………………….

Signing for Option 1, the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Bulgaria

Signature……………………………………….

Place…………………….………………………

Date…………………….……………………….

Signing for Option 2, the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus

Signature……………………………………….

Place……………………….……………………

Date………………………….………………….

Signing for Option 1, the Minister of Defence of the Czech Republic

Signature……………………………………….

Place……………………….……………………

Date……………………….…………………….

Signing for Option 1, for the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic represented by the Ambassador to the Czech Republic

Signature……………………………………….

Place…………………….………………………

Date………………………….………………….

Signing for Option 1, the Federal Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Germany

Signature……………………………………….

Place……………………….……………………

Date……………………….…………………….

Signing for Option 1, the Minister of National Defence of the Hellenic Republic

Signature……………………………………….

Place………………………….…………………

Date………………………….………………….

Signing for Option 1, the Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Signature……………………………………….

Place…………………….………………………

Date…………………….……………………….

Signing for Option 1, for the Ministry of National Defence of Romania represented by the State Secretary for Defence Policy and Planing

Signature……………………………………….

Place……………………………….……………

Date………………………….………………….

Signing for Option 1, for the Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic represented by the State Secretary

Signature……………………………………….

Place…………………….………………………

Date………………….………………………….

Signing for Option 1, the Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Sweden

Signature……………………………………….

Place…………….………………………………

Date…………….……………………………….

Signing for Option 1, the Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Norway

Signature……………………………………….

Place…………….………………………………

Date…………….……………………………….

 

ANNEX A

EUROPEAN UNION DIPLOMATIC CLEARANCE (DIC) FORM

(1) Reference number:

(2) Amendment number:

(3)	(4)	(5)	(6)	(7)	(8)	(9)	(10)
STATE	R	N	L	DG	A	FR	EXISTING DIC NUMBER
								(3): DIC issuing Participant (4): this is a DIC request (5): this is a DIC notification (6): intention is to land in state (3) (7): flight carrying dangerous goods (8): this is an amendment to an existing clearance (9): flight rules (I, V, Y or Z) (10): provide number

SERIAL	REQUESTED INFORMATION	INFORMATION SUBMITTED
AIRCRAFT AND CREW
(11)	Requesting state
(12)	Number and type of aircraft
(13)	Aircraft registration
(14)	Spare aircraft
(15)	Callsign (including spare if different)
(16)	Number of crew members
(17)	Pilot rank and name
(18)	Photographic sensors and/or cameras	YES - NO
(19)	Armament	YES - NO
(20)	Electronic warfare equipment	YES - NO
FLIGHT DETAILS (Detailed routing in Appendix 1)
(21)	Date of flight
(22)	Purpose of flight
(23)	Departure airport
(24)	Destination airport(s)
(25)	Alternate airport(s)
(26)	Radio frequencies
LOAD INFORMATION
(27)	Number of passengers
(28)	VIP title /rank and name
(29)	DG details	See Appendix 2
REMARKS
(30)
POINT OF CONTACT
(31)	Rank, name, first name
(32)	Telephone number
(33)	E-mail
(34)	Fax

RESERVED FOR ISSUING STATE
(35) STATE ISSUING
(36) DIPLOMATIC CLEARANCE NUMBER

Stamp issuing state:

Date: Signature:

 

ANNEX A, APPENDIX 1

DETAILED ITINERARY

State	Entry point and timing or airfield + ETD (DD MMM YY, HHMM Z)	Route over territory	Exit point and timing or airfield + ETA (DD MMM YY, HHMM Z)
(37)	(38)	(39)	(40)

 

ANNEX A, APPENDIX 2

DANGEROUS GOODS DETAILS

UN Nbr	Proper Shipping Name	Class or Division	Gross weight	Total Net Quantity	NEQ (Class 1)
(41)	(42)	(43)	(44)	(45)	(46)

 

ANNEX A, APPENDIX 3

DIC FORM GUIDE

General instructions

• This form has to be filled in English.

• Use capital letters.

Guide for each item to be inserted:

1. Reference number of this document. One reference number refers to a single document.

2. Amendment to an already issued document.

3. State for which the respective column applies.

4. Insert a 'X' if a DIC request is made to the state specified in column (3).

5. Insert a 'X' if a DIC notification is made to the state specified in column (3).

6. Insert a 'X' if the intention is to land in the state specified in column (3).

7. Insert a 'X' if the flight is carrying dangerous goods (DG). Details for the DG's are to be inserted in Appendix 2.

8. Insert a 'X' if this document is an amendment to an existing DIC clearance document issued before.

9. Insert a 'I' if IFR, a 'V' if VFR, a 'Y' if IFR changing to VFR and a 'Z' if VFR changing to IFR.

10. Insert a 'X' if a DIC number already exists for the respective issue.

11. State requesting the issues towards the states mentioned in column (3).

12. Enter appropriate ICAO designator (i.e. C130, F16, etc.). If no designator has been assigned (or for formation flights comprising more than one type aircraft), indicate 'ZZZZ' and specify the aircraft type(s) in item (30).

13. Insert the aircraft registration number.

14. If a spare aircraft is assigned for the mission, specify type and registration number.

15. Insert the mission call sign.

16. Insert the total number of crew members.

17. Insert the rank and name of the pilot in command.

18. Indicate whether or not the aircraft will be equipped with photographic sensors and/or cameras. If the answer is YES, specify the type in item (30).

19. Indicate whether or not the aircraft will carry any type of armament. If the answer is YES, specify the type in item (30).

20. Indicate whether or not the aircraft will be equipped with electronic warfare equipment. If the answer is YES, specify the type in item (30).

21. Indicate the date of flight in following format: DD MMM YY, HHMM Z.

22. Indicate the purpose of the flight (i.e. participation to an exercise TLP/Red Flag/…, Logistic flight in support of…, Flight to support Operation XYZ, etc.).

23. Indicate the departure airfield. If no identifier has been assigned, indicate 'ZZZZ' and specify the airport name in item (30).

24. Indicate all airfields at which a landing is anticipated, including stop overs and intermediate destinations. If no identifier has been assigned, indicate 'ZZZZ' and specify the airport name in item (30).

25. Indicate all airfields to be used as alternate airfields for the entire mission.

26. If requested, indicate which radio frequencies will be used while transiting or landing in certain states.

27. Indicate the total number of passengers. If some/all passengers are leaving the aircraft, specify in item (30).

28. Indicate the title/rank and name of any VIP on board.

29. Dangerous goods details are to be inserted in Appendix 2.

30. Remarks field.

31. Indicate the rank, name and first name of the POC to be contacted for questions related to the request/notification.

32 Indicate the telephone number of the POC to be contacted for questions related to the request/notification.

33. Indicate the e-mail address of the POC to be contacted for questions related to the request/notification.

34. Indicate the fax number of the POC to be contacted for questions related to the request/notification.

35. State issuing the DIC number.

36. Indicate the DIC number.

37. State to be overflown.

38. Indicate the entry point and timing or airfield + ETD (DD MMM YY, HHMM Z).

39. Indicate which route will be flown. Alternate routes must be clearly identified by 'ALTERNATE ROUTE'.

40. Indicate the exit point and timing or airfield + ETA (DD MMM YY, HHMM Z).

41. Indicate the UN number.

42. Indicate the proper shipping name.

43. Indicate the class or division.

44. Indicate the gross weight.

45. Indicate the total net quantity.

46. For Class 1 only, indicate the total Net Explosive Quantity.

 

ANNEX B

TEMPLATE OF LIST OF "OFFICE OF PRIME RESPONSIBILITY" (OPR)

Country	E-mail	Phone number	Fax number	Outside Working Hours
AUSTRIA
BELGIUM
BULGARIA
CYPRUS
CZECH REPUBLIC
DENMARK
ESTONIA
FINLAND
FRANCE
GERMANY
GREECE
HUNGARY
IRELAND
ITALY
LATVIA
LITHUANIA
LUXEMBOURG
MALTA
NETHERLANDS
POLAND
PORTUGAL
ROMANIA
SLOVAKIA
SLOVENIA
SPAIN
SWEDEN
UNITED KINGDOM

 

ANNEX C

TEMPLATE OF EXEMPTED AIRPORTS AND/OR AREAS

The airports listed stipulate for which ones option 1 is valid.

Excluded areas are areas to be avoided when flying with the Annual DIC.

Country	Civilian airports	Military airports	Excluded Areas	Remark
EXAMPLE 1	All except ZZZZ and ZZAA	All
EXAMPLE 2	None, except ZZZZ	None, except YYYY and ZZBB
AUSTRIA
BELGIUM
BULGARIA
CYPRUS
CZECH REPUBLIC
DENMARK
ESTONIA
FINLAND
FRANCE
GERMANY
GREECE
HUNGARY
IRELAND
ITALY
LATVIA
LITHUANIA
LUXEMBOURG
MALTA
NETHERLANDS
POLAND
PORTUGAL
ROMANIA
SLOVAKIA
SLOVENIA
SPAIN
SWEDEN
UNITED KINGDOM

 

ANNEX D

TEMPLATE NOTE OF ACCESSION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TECHNICAL ARRANGEMENT CONCERNING DIPLOMATIC CLEARANCES FOR PARTICIPANTS' MILITARY TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT IN THEIR RESPECTIVE NATIONAL AIRSPACE OR TERRITORY

The xxxxxx

Desiring to participate in the TA concerning Diplomatic Clearances for Participants' military transport aircraft in their respective national airspace or territory as a Participant, elects to sign the above mentioned Technical Arrangement and to abide by all its provisions, including its Annexes in the version valid at the time.

Declaring to follow the rules provided in Number 4.1, option xxxxxx

Notifying that the "Office of Prime Responsibility" in accordance with Number 7.1 is xxxxxx and notifying that the following airports and/or areas are exempted in accordance with Number 7.1.

Signed in the ………….. language. The original of this Note of Accession will be filed with the DIC Secretariat, which will provide true certified copies to each Participant.

For the xxxxxx

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ANNEX E

TEMPLATE OF ANNUAL DIC AND HARMONISED PROCEDURE MATRIX