State Defence Plan Developed in Ukraine for First Time

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers a draft of a new strategic document “State Defence Plan.” According to the decision of the military-political leadership of the country, its development took place during 2019-2021.

According to Minister of Defence of Ukraine Andrii Taran, the document was developed in cooperation with all departments of the security and defence sector of Ukraine and takes into account the existing and projected threats to Ukraine’s national security. “The Armed Forces remain the flagship of Ukraine’s defence against armed aggression. But the protection of territorial integrity and inviolability is a matter for the entire state, authorities, and all people. It can be understood that less attention was paid to this issue in peacetime. However, there is a question why such a document did not appear in the early years of hybrid armed aggression by the Russian Federation. Today, we have taken the initiative: the concentration of coordinated efforts of the entire state apparatus, civil society, and the security and defence forces is doctrinally formalised for the first time into a single force to repel aggression of various scales and geographical directions on the principles of ‘comprehensive defence’,” Taran said.

According to the minister, the Plan makes it possible to fully use the potential of the state apparatus and local self-government bodies to facilitate, support, and ensure the actions of the defence forces in the performance of their tasks at a specific time and place.

Currently, the Defence Plan has been submitted for consideration to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. If approved, the document will be sent to the National Security and Defence Council, which will decide on the recommendations to the President of Ukraine regarding its approval.

Natalia Tolub