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Ukraine Defense Contact Group
Defensive alliance against 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG, also known as the Ramstein group[21]) is an alliance of 57 countries (all 32 member states of NATO and 25 other countries) and the European Union supporting the defence of Ukraine by sending military equipment in response to the 2022 Russian invasion.[22] The group coordinates the ongoing donation of military aid at monthly meetings.[23] A first meeting took place between 41 countries on 26 April 2022, and the coalition comprised 54 countries at the time of the 14 February 2023 meeting.[24] As of November 2023[update], reports of meetings usually stated "more than 50" or "about 50" members.[25]
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Following the initial formation - after direct orders from Secretary Austin - Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Dr. William LaPlante, was tasked with organizing and regularly convening the forum of National Armaments Directors (NADs) under UDCG auspices. The purpose was to rapidly accelerate and synchronize delivery, production, and sustainment of vital military capabilities.[26] As UDCG is not a treaty-based entity, membership status is conferred by representation at group meetings. As of September 2025[update], Argentina was the latest country that joined UDCG.[1]
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Meetings
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At the 20 January 2023 meeting at Ramstein Air Base, leading to the group thereafter being referred to as the "Ramstein Group", the alliance supported sending heavy offensive weaponry to Ukraine, in support of a planned spring offensive.[27][28] The possible transfer of German-made Leopard 2 main battle tanks from Poland was a sticking point at the January 2023 meeting and in bilateral discussions following this.[29] Germany continued to delay Leopard tank exports until 25 January 2023 when it announced it would provide 14 of its own Leopard 2A6 tanks in tandem with the United States providing 31 M1 Abrams tanks.[30] By 25 February, 71 Leopard 2 tanks had been formally committed for delivery to Ukraine from Germany (18), Portugal (3), Sweden (10), Poland (14), Spain (10), Norway (8), and Canada (8); the first four arrived in Ukraine on 24 February. Additionally, a joint German-Danish-Dutch initiative was announced on 7 February to supply 100–178 Leopard 1A5 tanks from FFG and Rheinmetall stocks.[31]
At the 14 February conference, the main topic of discussion was the transfer of modern fighter jets to Ukraine.[32] The two subsequent meetings included considering how to finance an increase in industrial capacity to sustainably replace ammunition and equipment sent to Ukraine into the future.[33]
The 11 October 2023 meeting took place after the Gaza war had started. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended, and was given assurances military aid would be sustained, although Zelenskyy acknowledged there was uncertainty. Zelenskyy emphasised the need for winter air defence.[34] NBC News later reported that officials at the meeting had begun confidential and delicate talks with the Ukrainian officials about what the broad outlines of possible peace negotiations might entail, according to two U.S. participants.[35]
The 23 January 2024 meeting concluded without any US funding, only from France, and Germany in the face of obstacles to funding in the US Congress.[36][37]
There were plans for a leaders level meeting of the "Ramstein Group" on 12 October 2024, this meeting was postponed after US president Joe Biden cancelled his participation in order to oversee the response to Hurricane Milton.[38][39]
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At the first meeting after US president Donald Trump was inaugurated, on 12 February 2025, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth said a return to Ukraine's pre-2014 borders was "an unrealistic objective" in any peace agreement, adding that any attempt to regain all of the territory "will only prolong the war and cause more suffering". He said that president Trump does not support membership of NATO for Ukraine in a peace agreement, and expects Europe to provide more financial and military assistance for Ukraine, while the US concentrates on its own security and the challenge of China; no US troops will be deployed to Ukraine.[40]
Meetings list
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Subgroups
Eight capability coalitions have been formed within UDCG:[76][77]
- Air Force: Denmark, Netherlands, United States.
A total of 16 countries are involved in the fighter program. Belgium, Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands have committed to supply aircraft to Ukraine. So far, the United States has declined to supply its own F-16s, which are produced in America. Morris Air National Guard Base in Arizona, The 86th “Lieutenant Aviator Gheorghe Mociorniță” Air Base in Borcea, Romania; Skrydstrup Air Base in southern Denmark and undisclosed UK location are used for pilot training.[77]
- Armor: Germany, Poland.
- Artillery: France, United States.
- Demining: Iceland, Lithuania.
- Drones: Latvia, United Kingdom.
- Integrated Air and Missile Defense: France, Germany.
- Information Technology: Estonia, Luxembourg.
- Maritime Security: Norway, United Kingdom.
Partners
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The following countries have provided military aid (lethal and non-lethal) to Ukraine, although there is no public confirmation of their participation in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group:
Azerbaijan (provided mortars and aerial bombs)
Cambodia (provides de-mining training)[78]
Colombia (provides de-mining training)
Israel (provided anti-drone systems, counter-drone intelligence, and non-lethal aid such as helmets, flak jackets, etc.)[79][80] Israel has been unwilling to provide Ukraine with weapons.[81]
Jordan (provided rocket launchers and air defense missiles)
Morocco (provided 20 T-72 tanks)
Pakistan (provided artillery shells, rockets, and other ammunition)[78]
Sudan (provided 120 mm mortar bombs and additional undeclared aid)
Taiwan (provided unmanned aerial vehicles)
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US and Allied investment, munitions, production
- US Capacity expansion
US official fact sheets and reportage indicate $5.3 billion invested in domestic defense production since early 2022, with specific reference to 155mm projectiles and propelling charges, GMLRS (Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System) missiles, Javelin anti-tank weapons, PAC-3 MSE interceptors, AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles, and HIMARS, among others.[82] The reported capacity jumps - e.g., 155mm shells from 14,400 to 40,000 per month - are accurately reflected in both DoD data and independent defense analytics reporting.[83]
- Multinational expansion
Efforts to expand production beyond the US included France and Sweden’s plans to double ammunition and explosives capacity by 2025, and increase powder capacity by 10 times by 2026.[84][83] Other expansions (factories in Germany, Romania, etc.; 700,000 shell and 10,000t powder/year goals; ASAP targets for 2 million shells by 2025) are also confirmed.[26]
- Industry partnerships
US-Ukraine and international-Ukraine partnerships - including Northrop Grumman’s in-country production line, Amentum’s joint armored vehicle ventures, and the involvement of KNDS and Rheinmetall - are disclosed by both the U.S. DoD and the contractors themselves.[85][86]
- Activities and achievements
- Notable deliveries and initiatives
Documentation from the DoD Fact Sheet and major news outlets provide explicit confirmation for the following:
- delivery of VAMPIRE counter-unmanned aerial systems, "FrankenSAM" conversions, T-72 tanks (joint U.S.-Dutch project), NASAMS, air-to-ground munitions for F-16s, 3D printers for field repair/logistics, and tele-maintenance efforts;
- establishment of joint sustainment frameworks, technical manual translation, and innovation-driven working group outputs in areas such as counter-UAS, maritime mine countermeasures, and rapid deployment manufacturing.[26]
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NATO–Ukraine Council
NATO plans to invite Ukraine as a member into a new organization, the NATO–Ukraine Council.This organization was announced at NATO's July 2023 summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.[87]
The inaugural meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council happened on 12 July 2023 at the NATO's 2023 Vilnius Summit. The Council met at the level of Heads of State and Government, including the participation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.[88]
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See also
References
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