NATO announces opening of new training centre for Ukraine in Poland

The NATO Joint Analysis, Training and Education Centre for Ukraine (JATEC) is set to become operational in mid-February 2025, according to NATO Supreme Allied Commander-in-Chief for Transformation, Admiral Pierre Vandieu.

According to Politico, cited by Caliber.Az, during a press conference in Brussels, Vandieu announced the launch of JATEC, located in Bydgoszcz, Poland. 

He highlighted the centre's critical role in supporting Ukraine's defence efforts. "My first task is to support Ukraine. I am doing it with the help of JATEC. The centre was approved by the North Atlantic Council on December 16 and will be launched in the coming weeks. We will provide all the necessary tools for its full operation," he stated.

Admiral Vandieu emphasized that JATEC will combine NATO's military best practices with civilian expertise, aiming to provide long-term support to Ukraine. "This centre will combine NATO’s strong military experience with Ukraine’s unique insights. It will be of mutual benefit," he explained.

As part of its activities, JATEC will launch various programs, some classified, to enhance the skills and capabilities necessary for Ukraine's success in combat. "This will bring NATO strong military experience from Ukraine. It will be of mutual benefit," Vandieu noted.

In his remarks about military innovations, the NATO commander-in-chief pointed to Ukraine’s effective use of new technologies in the conflict. "We are seeing new tools such as robotics, drones, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies that are changing the way we do warfare. My job is to ensure that our training and resources remain relevant for years to come," he said.

Vandieu also underlined one of the centre's primary areas of research: how the conflict in Ukraine blends space technology with traditional combat. He described this mixture as "a combination of World War I and the war of the future."

Earlier, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced the establishment of a Baltic Centre with frigates and maritime patrol aircraft to ensure infrastructure security in the Baltic Sea. "NATO will also work with allies to integrate other countries' surveillance assets," Rutte added.

The announcement follows the agreement between Ukraine and NATO in November 2024, marking the final stage of establishing the JATEC Joint Analysis, Training and Education Centre.

By Tamilla Hasanova