The U.S.-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group has approved eight road maps developed by the Capability Coalitions to strengthen the international community’s defense support for Ukraine.
According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the road maps will guide the coalition in how best to help Ukraine meet its wartime and future force requirements, whether through donations, investments, procurements, or efforts to build its defense industrial base.
UDCG plans to collaborate closely with Kyiv to ensure these requirements are met through international aid. The road maps will address several military capabilities for the next three years: air power, armor, artillery, demining, drone operations, integrated air and missile defense, information technology, and maritime security.
“Today, some 50 countries of conscience are coordinating closely with Ukraine to send vital, consistent and cutting-edge security assistance. And that has helped turn Ukraine’s struggle into one of the great military success stories of our times,” Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin, a Wash100 winner, told reporters after a UDCG meeting at Ramstein Air Base on Thursday.
The group brings together like-minded countries to discuss how to meet the needs of Ukrainian forces in light of escalating Russian threats. Among the alliance’s members are Germany, Spain and Poland.
In January 2023, UDCG launched two programs to strengthen Ukrainian forces’ defense capabilities. Germany is spearheading efforts to enhance the country’s military arsenal, while Latvia is responsible for upgrading drone capabilities.