1. State Defence Capability: the Governmental Commission on Defence Capability of Ukraine
Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine by its resolution issued on Oct 21, has established Governmental Committee responsible for managing the national security and defense capability.
Comment: Committee has been Coordinating and Advisory office of the Government. It is expected to be a main element in coordination between executive branches of power in formulating and implementing State defence policy, Military-Industrial complex development and optimization of the procurement mechanism. Reference for detailed information: www.defpol.org.ua.
Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine by its resolution issued on Oct 21, has established Governmental Committee responsible for managing the national security and defense capability.
Comment: Committee has been Coordinating and Advisory office of the Government. It is expected to be a main element in coordination between executive branches of power in formulating and implementing State defence policy, Military-Industrial complex development and optimization of the procurement mechanism. Reference for detailed information: www.defpol.org.ua.
2. Defence Policy: Russian Navy in the Crimea
All matters regarding the Russian Navy sojourn in the Crimea will be discussed by forthright dialogue, such decision was mutually agreed by Ministers of Foreign affairs of Ukraine and Russia (P.Poroshenko and his counterpart S. Lavrov) on Oct 23 in Moscow.
Comment: according to Mr. P.Poroshenko they have reached accords to always solve disputable points trough an immediate effective discussion. Moscow and Kiev must not be “hostages of jurisdictional dispute”. At the same time he underlined that “Kiev as Moscow is not willing to ever revise the basic agreements adopted for Russian Black See fleet”.
In accordance with 1997 agreement, Russian Navy can stay in Sevastopol for 20 years term with possible prolongation.
3. UAF development: funding for military equipment
Acting Minister of Defence of Ukraine Mr. A. Ivashenko and Deputy of Minister of Finance Mr. V.Matviychuk signed a joint Order #508/1187 “Amendments of the Budget Programs for 2009”. The concerned Order has assigned the additional monetary resources from Stabilisation Fund for backing a military equipment development.
Comment: The Order was generated by issuing of Governmental resolution to lend a financial aid for a modernisation of Mi-8, Mi-24 helicopters, clothing MBT “Bulat” with reactive armour and for corvette type building project.
Initially, for designing, procurement and modernisation of military hardware there have been 248,7 mln UAH allocated in Special Fund of Military budget. Specifically MBT “Bulat” modernisation requires 102,5 mln UAH; Mi-24 and Mi-8 upgrade is amounted to 142,5 mln UAH and corvette project costs 3,7 mln UAH.
4. Combat Training: parachuting in Airborne Bde
As part of airborne training the paratroopers of 25th independent Airborne Bde of 6th Army Corps, located in the Dnipropetrovsk, conducted parachuting on Oct 26.
Comment: the pratroopers performed 150 parachute jumps within airborne training program. An-2 a fixed wing plane was utilized for exercise. 100 recruits have made their first jump. In total Bde personnel have executed more than 3 600 jumps and this makes up about 90% of the annual airborne program.
5. Peacekeeping Activities: humanitarian aid in Afghanistan
During last week Ukrainian medics from ISAF multinational team at Ghor PRT carried out a humanitarian activity providing a medical assistance to locals in Do-Leina region.
Comment: such activity was arranged in response of the received request from CIMIC Team of Do-Leina Administration. Bought by the Danish Government remedies were distributed and used during medical performance. Over 300 patients were examined and treated.
Ukrainians take part in Afghanistan as ISAF personnel since May 2007. Now 10 Ukrainians conduct their duties: 1 – at the ISAF HQ (Kabul), 2 officers - NSE (Kabul) and rest 7 are doctors attached to Lithuanian unit at Ghor Provincial Reconstruction Team (Chaghcharan).
6. Multinational exercise: combined Ukrainian-Belarusian Air Force training
Oct 10, command and control elements supported with combat alert units from Ukrainian and Byelorussian Air Forces carried out two-side command and staff training.
Comment: the training purpose was to improve coordination between AD systems of both States during their routine performance and in the event of emergency. Ukrainian side was represented by command groups of tactical Aviation Bde, air direction center, AD and radio-radar units and contributed several aircrafts. Byelorussians engaged intruding role-player aircraft that for training purpose violated air space. Second time in this year such bilateral exercise has been conducted (first training was carried out 28-29 Jul 2009).
7. International cooperation: annual meeting of Southeastern Europe Defence Ministers
Southeastern Europe Defence Ministers gathered 21st of October, in Sofia, to discuss issues of security and cooperation in the region. The international forum was opened by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. Mr. Boyko Borisov. Host of the meeting was the Minister of Defence Mr. Nickolay Mladenov.
Comment: meeting was attended by the Ministers of defnce of the countries participating in the process (Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, Italy, Romania, USA, Slovenia, Turkey, Croatia, Ukraine, B&H). The representatives from countries having observer status (Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, and Serbia), representatives of NATO Allied Joint Force Commands (Naples and Brunssum), as well as the General Manager of NATO Consultation, Command and Control Agency have participated in the event too. Ukrainian delegation was headed by acting MoD Mr. A. Ivashenko.
The Heads of Delegations signed the Agreement on the Coordination Committee in the Framework of Southeastern Europe Defence Ministerial Process and the 5th Additional Protocol to the Agreement on MPFSEE, they approved a Joint Statement as a follow-up of the meeting. By approving the Joint Statement, the Ministers have confirmed the common will of the participating nations that the format remains open to accession by other nations expressing interest in participation.
The activities of the Southeastern Europe Bde were also reviewed at the meeting, leading to the conclusion that the Bde’s potential is greater than what has been employed so far. The Defence Ministers endorsed SeeBrig annual plan and budget for 2010, as well as the financial framework and activities plan up to 2012.
Southeastern Europe Defence Ministerial (SEDM) Process was launched in 1996 to support the peace and stability in the region and as a link with Euro Atlantic organizations. Ukraine joint SEDM in Dec 2005 and in Oct 2007 the decision about the Ukrainian contribution to Southeastern Europe multinational peacekeeping forces was made.
8. International cooperation: military official met Capstone Program graduates
The officials from General Staff of Ukraine met with graduates of Capstone Program on Oct 15, where they discussed Ukrainian-American developments and several legislative grounds for coalitional operations.
Comment: deputy chief of General Staff, Lt Gen I. Romanenko represented Ukrainian side. During round table they have discussed Ukrainian relations with NATO and Russia, legislative basis for joint actions in frame of coalition military operations, US-Ukraine military cooperation perspectives and national military budget deficiency. I. Romanenko pointed out that Ukrainian military consider cooperation with Alliance as powerful mechanism in approaching high standards and acquiring sufficient capabilities to contribute into stability and security in the Europe and around the world.
9. NATO-Ukraine: NATO days at Ukrainian Military schools
During the period of 20 – 25 Oct, major military educational establishments of Ukraine were holding special arrangements in the frame of “NATO days in Ukraine” international project.
Comment: the aim was to enhance awareness of militaries about the Alliance role and objectives. For every nation the entry process is, first of all, stimulating factor for a betterment of social life and accelerating of military transformation. NATO exerts group was led by Norwegian Maj Gen Neil Ove Orderhod Scarey.
10. Defense-Industrial Complex: cooperation with NATO Defence industry companies
Two-day’s conference under the name of “Vishegrad G-4 experience and economic benefit from cooperation with NATO defence industries” was held in Kiev on 23 – 24 Oct.
Comment: representatives from world leading military companies: “Thales”, “Finmeccanica”, “DCNS”, “Bumar”, “IBM Ukraine”, “Euro Avionics Navigatinssysteme GmbH & Co.K.G”, “Sikorsky Europe”, “TESLA”, “International Technology”, and major Ukrainian producers, who are favoring the UAF, took part in the event. A great opportunity to discuss a concrete collaborating mechanism between Ukrainian and NATO defence industries has become a real breakthrough during the conference.
All matters regarding the Russian Navy sojourn in the Crimea will be discussed by forthright dialogue, such decision was mutually agreed by Ministers of Foreign affairs of Ukraine and Russia (P.Poroshenko and his counterpart S. Lavrov) on Oct 23 in Moscow.
Comment: according to Mr. P.Poroshenko they have reached accords to always solve disputable points trough an immediate effective discussion. Moscow and Kiev must not be “hostages of jurisdictional dispute”. At the same time he underlined that “Kiev as Moscow is not willing to ever revise the basic agreements adopted for Russian Black See fleet”.
In accordance with 1997 agreement, Russian Navy can stay in Sevastopol for 20 years term with possible prolongation.
3. UAF development: funding for military equipment
Acting Minister of Defence of Ukraine Mr. A. Ivashenko and Deputy of Minister of Finance Mr. V.Matviychuk signed a joint Order #508/1187 “Amendments of the Budget Programs for 2009”. The concerned Order has assigned the additional monetary resources from Stabilisation Fund for backing a military equipment development.
Comment: The Order was generated by issuing of Governmental resolution to lend a financial aid for a modernisation of Mi-8, Mi-24 helicopters, clothing MBT “Bulat” with reactive armour and for corvette type building project.
Initially, for designing, procurement and modernisation of military hardware there have been 248,7 mln UAH allocated in Special Fund of Military budget. Specifically MBT “Bulat” modernisation requires 102,5 mln UAH; Mi-24 and Mi-8 upgrade is amounted to 142,5 mln UAH and corvette project costs 3,7 mln UAH.
4. Combat Training: parachuting in Airborne Bde
As part of airborne training the paratroopers of 25th independent Airborne Bde of 6th Army Corps, located in the Dnipropetrovsk, conducted parachuting on Oct 26.
Comment: the pratroopers performed 150 parachute jumps within airborne training program. An-2 a fixed wing plane was utilized for exercise. 100 recruits have made their first jump. In total Bde personnel have executed more than 3 600 jumps and this makes up about 90% of the annual airborne program.
5. Peacekeeping Activities: humanitarian aid in Afghanistan
During last week Ukrainian medics from ISAF multinational team at Ghor PRT carried out a humanitarian activity providing a medical assistance to locals in Do-Leina region.
Comment: such activity was arranged in response of the received request from CIMIC Team of Do-Leina Administration. Bought by the Danish Government remedies were distributed and used during medical performance. Over 300 patients were examined and treated.
Ukrainians take part in Afghanistan as ISAF personnel since May 2007. Now 10 Ukrainians conduct their duties: 1 – at the ISAF HQ (Kabul), 2 officers - NSE (Kabul) and rest 7 are doctors attached to Lithuanian unit at Ghor Provincial Reconstruction Team (Chaghcharan).
6. Multinational exercise: combined Ukrainian-Belarusian Air Force training
Oct 10, command and control elements supported with combat alert units from Ukrainian and Byelorussian Air Forces carried out two-side command and staff training.
Comment: the training purpose was to improve coordination between AD systems of both States during their routine performance and in the event of emergency. Ukrainian side was represented by command groups of tactical Aviation Bde, air direction center, AD and radio-radar units and contributed several aircrafts. Byelorussians engaged intruding role-player aircraft that for training purpose violated air space. Second time in this year such bilateral exercise has been conducted (first training was carried out 28-29 Jul 2009).
7. International cooperation: annual meeting of Southeastern Europe Defence Ministers
Southeastern Europe Defence Ministers gathered 21st of October, in Sofia, to discuss issues of security and cooperation in the region. The international forum was opened by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. Mr. Boyko Borisov. Host of the meeting was the Minister of Defence Mr. Nickolay Mladenov.
Comment: meeting was attended by the Ministers of defnce of the countries participating in the process (Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, Italy, Romania, USA, Slovenia, Turkey, Croatia, Ukraine, B&H). The representatives from countries having observer status (Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, and Serbia), representatives of NATO Allied Joint Force Commands (Naples and Brunssum), as well as the General Manager of NATO Consultation, Command and Control Agency have participated in the event too. Ukrainian delegation was headed by acting MoD Mr. A. Ivashenko.
The Heads of Delegations signed the Agreement on the Coordination Committee in the Framework of Southeastern Europe Defence Ministerial Process and the 5th Additional Protocol to the Agreement on MPFSEE, they approved a Joint Statement as a follow-up of the meeting. By approving the Joint Statement, the Ministers have confirmed the common will of the participating nations that the format remains open to accession by other nations expressing interest in participation.
The activities of the Southeastern Europe Bde were also reviewed at the meeting, leading to the conclusion that the Bde’s potential is greater than what has been employed so far. The Defence Ministers endorsed SeeBrig annual plan and budget for 2010, as well as the financial framework and activities plan up to 2012.
Southeastern Europe Defence Ministerial (SEDM) Process was launched in 1996 to support the peace and stability in the region and as a link with Euro Atlantic organizations. Ukraine joint SEDM in Dec 2005 and in Oct 2007 the decision about the Ukrainian contribution to Southeastern Europe multinational peacekeeping forces was made.
8. International cooperation: military official met Capstone Program graduates
The officials from General Staff of Ukraine met with graduates of Capstone Program on Oct 15, where they discussed Ukrainian-American developments and several legislative grounds for coalitional operations.
Comment: deputy chief of General Staff, Lt Gen I. Romanenko represented Ukrainian side. During round table they have discussed Ukrainian relations with NATO and Russia, legislative basis for joint actions in frame of coalition military operations, US-Ukraine military cooperation perspectives and national military budget deficiency. I. Romanenko pointed out that Ukrainian military consider cooperation with Alliance as powerful mechanism in approaching high standards and acquiring sufficient capabilities to contribute into stability and security in the Europe and around the world.
9. NATO-Ukraine: NATO days at Ukrainian Military schools
During the period of 20 – 25 Oct, major military educational establishments of Ukraine were holding special arrangements in the frame of “NATO days in Ukraine” international project.
Comment: the aim was to enhance awareness of militaries about the Alliance role and objectives. For every nation the entry process is, first of all, stimulating factor for a betterment of social life and accelerating of military transformation. NATO exerts group was led by Norwegian Maj Gen Neil Ove Orderhod Scarey.
10. Defense-Industrial Complex: cooperation with NATO Defence industry companies
Two-day’s conference under the name of “Vishegrad G-4 experience and economic benefit from cooperation with NATO defence industries” was held in Kiev on 23 – 24 Oct.
Comment: representatives from world leading military companies: “Thales”, “Finmeccanica”, “DCNS”, “Bumar”, “IBM Ukraine”, “Euro Avionics Navigatinssysteme GmbH & Co.K.G”, “Sikorsky Europe”, “TESLA”, “International Technology”, and major Ukrainian producers, who are favoring the UAF, took part in the event. A great opportunity to discuss a concrete collaborating mechanism between Ukrainian and NATO defence industries has become a real breakthrough during the conference.
