Military expert council created under AFU commander-in-chief
The Allied Reform and Expert Support (ARES) military expert council, an advisory body under the commander-in-chief, has been created in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) to exchange advanced Ukrainian and international experience for the development of the troops, the General Staff of the AFU reported.
"This is an important step for the systemic strengthening of the AFU: Council will help implement institutional changes in the AFU command system, support the transformation of the army and increase its efficiency," a report on the General Staff’s Telegram channel says.
Among the Council’s priorities are the development of military science and education, increasing the efficiency of meeting the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as advisory support on other issues within the powers of the Commander-in-Chief of the AFU.
British General Sir Richard Shirreff (Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, 2011–2014) has been appointed chairman of the military expert council.
The Council includes authoritative military leaders and experts from partner countries with unique combat and management experience, in particular General David Petraeus (Director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, 2011-2012); Admiral Manfred Nielson (Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (DSACT), 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 of the UK, 2022-2025); Lieutenant General Andrew Leslie (Commander of the Canadian Army, 2006-2010); Major General Patrick Carpentier (Commander of Joint Task Force North of the Canadian Armed Forces, 2017-2020); Commodore Hans Helseth (Representative of the Royal Norwegian Navy in NATO structures).
Preparations for the start of practical work and the holding of the first meeting of the military expert council are currently underway.
