19 Feb 2007
A Ukrainian delegation had a meeting with the NATO Air Defence Committee on 19 February at NATO Headquarters. The purpose of the meeting was to clarify issues related to Ukraine's request to participate in the Air Situation Data Exchange (ASDE) programme, which NATO has offered to Partner countries since 2001.
The ASDE programme is a means for a reciprocal exchange of filtered air situation information between NATO and a Partner country. The programme is designed to enhance mutual situational awareness, enhance transparency and minimize possible cross-border air incidents. In addition, the programme also provides Partner countries with insight into NATO procedures and offers valuable training experience. The exchange of data takes place in accordance with provisions negotiated in a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding between NATO and individual Partner countries.
To date, Austria is the only Partner country to have established a functioning ASDE system with NATO. The North Atlantic Council has approved requests from Albania, Finland, Georgia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,1 and preparations for implementation have begun. In addition requests from Croatia and Ukraine are also under consideration.
The Ukrainian delegation was headed by Ukrainian Chief of Staff and First Deputy Commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, Lieutenant General Klimov. Following the meeting at NATO Headquarters, the delegation visited the NATO Combined Air Operations Centre in Uedem, Germany, on 20 February, to get a better understanding of how NATO conducts command and control of air forces in general and how air situation data would be exchanged with Partners.
The next day, they visited the NATO Consultation, Command and Control Agency in the Hague, the Netherlands, to gain additional insight into the technical aspects of the ASDE programme. They were also briefed on how analytical studies prepared by NATO bodies could support Ukraine in the ongoing process of transforming and restructuring its Air Defence Forces.
