Ukraine's Military Establishes ARES, an International Expert Council Led by a Former NATO Commander

Launch of the ARES Military Expert Council

According to Главком: The Ukrainian Armed Forces have established a new advisory body, the Allied Reform and Expert Support (ARES) Military Expert Council, which will report directly to the Commander-in-Chief. This council will be chaired by British General Sir Richard Shirreff, who previously served as NATO's Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe from 2011 to 2014. Preparations are currently underway for the council's first meeting and the commencement of its practical work.

Council's Mission and Membership

According to Ukraine's General Staff, the primary mission of the ARES Council is to facilitate the exchange of advanced Ukrainian and international military expertise to aid in the development of the armed forces. This initiative represents a significant step toward systematically strengthening Ukraine's military, as the council will assist in implementing institutional reforms within the command structure, supporting the army's transformation, and enhancing its overall effectiveness.

The council's membership includes military experts from several allied nations, such as:

• General David Petraeus (Director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, 2011-2012)
• Admiral Manfred Nielson (Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, NATO, Germany, 2016-2019)
• Lieutenant General Pavel Macko (Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic, 2013-2018)
• Vice Admiral Sir Martin John Connell (Second Sea Lord and Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff, United Kingdom, 2022-2025)
• Lieutenant General Andrew Leslie (Commander of the Canadian Army, 2006-2010)
• Major General Patrick Carpentier (Commander of Canadian Joint Operations Command's Joint Task Force North, 2017-2020)
• Commodore Hans Helseth (Representative of the Norwegian Armed Forces to NATO structures)

In a related development, the Defense Forces have also launched a Faculty of Digital Transformation, underscoring a broader commitment to modernizing military structures to meet contemporary challenges.

The establishment of the ARES Military Expert Council reflects Ukraine's efforts to enhance the effectiveness of its armed forces by integrating new strategies and practices that align with international standards.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

The inclusion of international experts is a crucial element in improving managerial processes and adapting to modern military challenges. This move also signals the continued close cooperation between Ukraine and its partner nations in the defense sector. The formation of this council comes as Ukraine seeks to institutionalize best practices from its allies to build a more resilient and capable military force.