A coalition of nations led by France is beginning to firm up plans for the creation of a NATO-compatible ground-based air defense system that can protect Ukraine into the future.

The first meeting of the Capability Coalition Integrated Air and Missile Defense (CC-IAMD)—held in Berlin on Dec. 12-13—established a trio of working groups around command structure, systems and training.

The 20 nations involved in the coalition, which was first announced in November, want to develop what officials called a NATO-compatible air defense architecture to replace the ad-hoc system currently in place over Ukraine. This includes Russian-supplied hardware working alongside radars and command-and-control systems provided by Western nations.

The German defense ministry says the command structure efforts will be led by France. The systems working group will be led by the U.S., and the training and exercise element will be managed by Germany. No timelines for the establishment of the system in Ukraine have been revealed.

Strengthening of air defense capability remains a top priority for Ukraine as it deals with continuing cruise, ballistic and one-way attack drone strikes by Russia. Recent days have seen Russia step up ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in Washington on Dec. 12 that air defense would help with Ukraine’s 2024 goals, as they would “take away Russia’s air superiority and disrupt their offensive operations.”

Norway has already stepped up to enhance Ukraine’s air defenses by declaring it would donate even more Raytheon/Kongsberg National/Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems.

Some of the systems will be transferred from Norway’s existing stocks, and it is also ordering from industry for delivery to Ukraine later. They include eight more launchers and four more command and control systems.

“The equipment can be sent within a relatively short time and will be crucial to strengthening the air defense against Russian attacks this winter,” Norwegian Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram said. “Ukraine has significant needs for support, and it is crucial for everyone’s safety that Russia does not succeed in its warfare.”

Western nations have already provided numerous advanced air defense systems to supplement Ukraine’s existing Russian-supplied hardware. Among those donated are Raytheon’s long-range Patriot system, as well as Hawk, IRIS-T SLM and short-range man-portable missiles such as Stinger, MBDA’s Mistral and the Polish Mesko Piorun.