Deborah Sanders

Ukraine's Military Reform: Building a Paradigm Army 1

This article examines Ukraines radical plans to reform its military over the next three years and argues that the model adopted is based largely on the dominant US paradigm of what constitutes an efficient and effective military in the twenty first century. Ukraine faces two challenges in building a paradigm army: the high cost of reform and the unstable political context within which reform takes place. The lack of funding and political support for military reform has impacted negatively on the operational effectiveness of Ukraines military and is likely to hamper retention and recruitment of quality personnel in the future.

Rhetoric and Reality: Can Ukraine Create an Effective Navy to Protect its Interests in the Black Sea?

Abstract Since the ‘Orange Revolution’ Ukraine has been engaged in a comprehensive programme of naval transformation aimed at building an effective coastal defence navy able to protect its maritime interests in the Black Sea: an efficient and well run Ukrainian coastal navy that is inherently defensive in orientation can maintain good order at sea and protect Ukraines security and can also make an important contribution to regional security and stability. Over the last few years Ukraine has been making steady progress in developing a balanced, flexible and deployable coastal navy able to engage in a full spectrum of defence activities. However, continued progress is likely to be hampered in the medium term by the high cost of naval transformation, the challenges of democratic consolidation and friction between Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea.

Ukraine's Maritime Power in the Black Sea—A Terminal Decline?

This article examines why Ukraine has struggled to build an effective and efficient coastal navy able to protect and advance its interests in the Black Sea and beyond. Using the literature on maritime power the argument explores how Ukraines ability to use the sea has declined significantly over the last five years. It argues that chronic under-funding of Ukraines ambitious military transformation, recent decisions taken by the government to extend the Russian lease of Sevastopol and to declare its non-aligned status, and ongoing domestic political instability have all damaged Ukraines maritime power. Dr. Sanders is Senior Lecturer at the Defense Studies Department, Kings College London where she is a specialist on the Black Sea region. She has published extensively on Ukraines military transformation and is currently working on maritime power and maritime security issues in the Black Sea.

Maritime security in the Black Sea: can regional solutions work?1

Abstract The Black Sea is bordered by three NATO members: Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, as well as Ukraine, Russia and Georgia and it faces a number of maritime security threats that affect European security. These include direct threats to ships, shipping and maritime personnel as well as threats from the way in which the Black Sea is used for illegal activities by criminals and terrorists. This paper argues that despite the acceptance by NATO that regional maritime security operation performed by littoral states will provide a safe and secure maritime environment in the Black Sea, these serious maritime threats cannot be dealt with effectively by the littoral states. Poor relations between littoral states and lack of investment in maritime capabilities suggest that maritime security cannot be achieved in the Black Sea in the short to medium term. Instead, Black Sea will continue to be a major source of insecurity and instability for Europe.

Security cooperation between Russia and Ukraine in the post-Soviet era

Acknowledgements Introduction Security Cooperation: A Framework for Analysis Tactical Nuclear Weapons Strategic Nuclear Weapons The Black Sea Fleet Conclusion Index

‘The War We Want; The War That We Get’: Ukraine’s Military Reform and the Conflict in the East

ABSTRACT This article examines the military change that has taken place in Ukraine since the conflict in the east began in 2014 and argues that the Ukrainian military that is emerging from this process is very different from that envisaged by earlier governments. The realities of the conflict on Ukraine from 2014 onwards have necessitated a move away from the transformational model of military reform adopted from 2006 to 2014. Instead, the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) have been forced to adapt their structure, means, and methods according to a complex blend of the resuscitation of older features and the embrace of new solutions. This process notably has included the adoption of mass, crowdfunding, and the raising of volunteer battalions. These changes provide the foundation for what is likely to continue to be a painful process of far-reaching military reform.

Between Rhetoric and Reality: The Decline of Russian Maritime Power in the Black Sea?

As a powerful littoral state with important security interests in the Black Sea, Russia has the ability to use the maritime domain to advance and protect its interests, which will affect regional and international security. Using the currently available literature, this essay examines the three factors that shape and affect Russia’s maritime power in the Black Sea: quantitative factors such as the number and capability of maritime platforms as well as access to maritime infrastructure; qualitative factors such as the morale of maritime personnel; and the strategic context in which Russia exercises its maritime power. It argues that Russian maritime power is likely to decline significantly. Not only will Russia have significantly fewer maritime platforms in the future, but its ability to use the maritime domain will be compromised by qualitative problems and poor relations with the United States and littoral states such as Georgia and Romania.

Maritime Security in the Black Sea: Out with the New, In with the Old

Abstract: Traditional maritime security challenges have returned to the Black Sea, and this has had a negative effect on the ability of the six littoral states to address newer security challenges. Traditional maritime security challenges include the buildup of Russian forces in Crimea, the return of conflict to the shores of the Black Sea, uncertainty over the demarcation of maritime borders, and strained relations between Turkey and Russia. As a result, newer and no less important maritime security challenges have, in effect, been pushed off the agenda.