NATO can play key role in deployment of European troops to Ukraine - Financial Times
NATO officials are exploring the use of command and control systems and early warning aircraft. The Alliance's structures may be used during the deployment of European forces in Ukraine.
According to Censor.NET, the Financial Times reports this with reference to European officials.
In particular, such a proposal is being discussed at the talks held by France and the United Kingdom. The forces would also use the Alliance's common intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. According to the officials, this proposal was one of several options under discussion and could be changed before a final agreement is reached.
"If we are going to deploy assets from dozens of countries [to Ukraine], then NATO is really the only option that we can use," said one of the officials.
According to Ben Barry, senior fellow for land warfare at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the UK and France have the command and control capabilities to manage a large multinational force in Ukraine. But, he said, "if you can make use of Nato assets and mechanisms it is going to make it a lot simpler and easier."
"Without US ISR it would be at much greater risk and its ability to detect threats would go down," said Barry.
NATO also has its own fleet of E-3 Awacs early warning and surveillance aircraft and refuelling aircraft that the European military would like to see available for a sustained or large-scale mission in Ukraine.
Command and control structures and other NATO assets could be used for non-NATO missions, including EU-led missions. But this requires the unanimous approval of Allies.
