US Army Europe & UK Ministry of Defence sign cross-service equipment lease

Approved by the US Army in January, the equipment leasing agreement was signed in order to overcome the issue that existing US systems cannot operate within many European nations’ weight restrictions.

Under the terms of the agreement, the US Army Europe will contract a lease of 18 heavy equipment transport systems from the UK.

The equipment will continue to be the UK’s property, but it will be maintained and operated by the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, headquartered in Kaiserslautern, Germany.

The 21st Theater Sustainment Command is a Nato-ready team that provides mission command and sustainment capabilities to combatant commanders and regionally aligned forces in an increasingly complex environment.

It is responsible for all sustainment activities, including logistics support, transportation, combat sustainment, human resources, finance, contracting and other areas in the field of sustainment.

The US Army Europe trains and leads army forces in support of the US European Command and Headquarters.

It trains forces for global employment, provides Army Service Component Command and Title 10 support, strengthens alliances, and builds partner capacity and capability.