Capability Coalitions
I was recently working through the page on the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) when my attention was drawn to the concept and utility of “capability coalitions”–what they are, and what role they fill.
Capability coalitions are specialized, multilateral working groups that focus on distinct elements of Ukraine’s military capabilities. The UDCG has designated eight such coalitions:
| UDCG Capability Coalition Breakdown | Source |
|---|---|
| The Air Force Capability Coalition | The United States, Denmark, and the Netherlands |
| The Integrated Air and Missile Defense Coalition | France, Germany |
| The Artillery Coalition | France, the United States |
| The Armored Vehicles and Maneuverability Coalition | Poland, Germany, Italy |
| The Maritime Capability Coalition | The United Kingdom, Norway |
| The IT Coalition | Estonia, Luxembourg |
| The Demining Capability Coalition | Lithuania, Iceland |
| The Drone Coalition | Latvia, the United Kingdom |
Each coalition is co-led by at least two NATO nations, ensuring that expertise and resources from different allies are pooled together. For me, this was a throwback to the revolutionary principles Eisenhower used to build AFHQ, the world’s first successfully integrated command headquarters. AFHQ operated using the principle of the opposite number (insofar as an American led a designated staff section, his assistant would always be British, and vice versa) and the principle of balanced personnel (staff sections would maintain rough Anglo-American parity). These two principles continue to undergird many unified joint and combined military commands today, and apply more broadly to the West’s current approach to Ukraine whereby pairs of nations pool their expertise on a specific matter rather than handle them unilaterally.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. participates in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) in Ramstein, Germany, March 19, 2024. (DOD Photo by Benjamin Applebaum. Wikimedia Commons.)
The organization of international assistance to Ukraine has shifted since 2022 from a bilateral to a multilateral system of operating. Nicknamed “Ramstein 2.0,” regular multilateral meetings held under the aegis of the UDCG are designed to “enhance coordination and systematization” among the Western allies.
For the West, the primary objective is for these coalitions to develop detailed strategic roadmaps outlining Ukraine’s defense needs and objectives through 2027. These roadmaps provide a structured framework for aid and equipment donors, allowing them to plan and allocate resources in a sustainable and coordinated manner that supports Ukraine’s long-term deterrence and defense posture.
Historically, informal coalition arrangements have long been used to coordinate diverse capabilities among allied nations. For instance, during the Gulf War of 1991, coalition forces were organized along clear functional lines—air, ground, naval, and logistical components—each contributing their unique strengths under a unified command. Similarly, NATO’s integrated air defense systems during the Cold War and subsequent operations demonstrated how partnering nations could work together to achieve interoperability and shared strategic goals.
When allies concentrate on delivering specialized capabilities, they often achieve far greater results than through unilateral action. For Ukraine, the capability coalitions have already proven effective by enabling over $126 billion in security assistance since the group’s inception in April 2022. Their multilateral design not only leverages European and transatlantic strengths but also ensures resiliency in the face of potential shifts in U.S. policy. Officials are confident that this collaborative framework will allow the group to continue supporting Ukraine—even (and especially) if American contributions change—with European partners stepping up to maintain momentum.
Beyond immediate crisis response, the capability coalition model is innovative in its forward-looking approach. It is not just about providing ad hoc military aid; it establishes a clear, sustainable framework for developing and modernizing Ukraine’s defense capabilities over the medium term and distinct divisions of responsibility. By breaking down Ukraine’s security challenges into specialized areas and crafting tailored roadmaps, the coalitions help donors and Ukraine alike to prioritize investments, coordinate procurement and training, and align with NATO interoperability standards.
This structured, capability-specific approach has been lauded as a significant evolution in coalition support during peacetime—it builds on historical lessons of allied cooperation while addressing the modern complexities of hybrid warfare and long-term deterrence. Overall, the effectiveness of Ukraine’s capability coalitions lies in their ability to create a resilient, adaptive, and strategic partnership among more than 50 nations, ensuring that Ukraine’s defense needs are met comprehensively now and into the future.
Further Reading