Western Coalition Advances Plans for NATO-Compatible Air Defense System for Ukraine

A coalition of nations led by Germany and France is making strides in formulating plans for the development of a NATO-compatible ground-based air defense system aimed at safeguarding Ukraine's future.

The inaugural meeting of the Capability Coalition Integrated Air and Missile Defense (CC-IAMD) in Berlin on December 12-13 marked a pivotal step, establishing working groups focused on command structure, systems, and training.

The 20-nation coalition, announced in November, aspires to create a NATO-compatible air defense architecture to replace the current ad-hoc system over Ukraine. The command structure efforts will be spearheaded by France, with the U.S. leading the systems working group, and Germany managing the training and exercise element.

No specific timelines for the implementation of the system in Ukraine have been disclosed.

Ukraine's prioritization of air defense capabilities remains crucial, particularly in the face of ongoing cruise, ballistic, and one-way attack drone strikes from Russia. Recent ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv underscore the urgency.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of air defense during his visit to Washington on December 12, noting its role in countering Russia's air superiority and disrupting offensive operations.

Norway has demonstrated support by pledging additional Raytheon/Kongsberg National/Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) for Ukraine's air defenses. Some of these systems will be transferred from Norway's existing stocks, while additional orders will be placed for delivery to Ukraine. The donation includes eight launchers and four command and control systems, aiming to strengthen air defense against Russian attacks during the winter.

Western nations have already played a significant role in enhancing Ukraine's air defense capabilities. Donations include Raytheon's Patriot system, Hawk, IRIS-T SLM, and various short-range man-portable missiles such as Stinger, MBDA's Mistral, and the Polish Mesko Piorun.

The international conference in Berlin showcased the collaborative efforts and commitment to fortifying Ukraine's air defense.