The institutional audit of the professional military education (PME) system, conducted by a group of NATO experts throughout 2025, has been completed. The main conclusion of the international specialists was recognition of Ukraine’s significant and convincing progress in aligning its military training system with Alliance standards, despite the challenges of Russia’s large-scale armed aggression.
The audit aimed to review the implementation of the 2020 recommendations and assess the readiness of higher military educational institutions for course certification according to NATO standards.
The audit took place in several stages, from self-assessment by the educational institutions to the direct work of the expert group in autumn 2025. The analysis covered the regulatory framework, educational programs, and management system.
Experts noted that since 2020, the Ministry of Defense, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and higher military educational institutions have implemented most of the systemic recommendations. Key achievements include:
- Creation of a multi-level education system (L-1 to L-5) for officers and the reform of NCO education based on NATO models.
- Implementation of planning and decision-making procedures according to Alliance standards (TLP, MDMP, OPP/JOPP) in educational programs.
- Integration of leadership principles and Mission Command into the training process.
- Raising English language proficiency requirements in accordance with STANAG 6001 standards.
- Recognition of military professions within Ukraine’s National Qualifications Framework.
Successful integration of Ukrainian higher military educational institutions into the network of the European Security and Defence College (ESDC) was also highlighted.
The Ministry of Defense has already begun analyzing the recommendations provided by the NATO expert group to incorporate them into the further transformation of the military education system.
