Steering Committee Launches SENTINEL Program to Strengthen Ukraine’s Maritime Domain Awareness
January 30, 2026
On 26 January 2026, the first Steering Committee meeting on the establishment of the Joint Maritime Coordination Centre (JMCC) took place in Kyiv, marking an important milestone in strengthening Ukraine’s maritime security architecture.
Hosted by the European Union Advisory Mission to Ukraine (EUAM), the event brought together representatives of the Maritime Capability Coalition (MARCC), the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine and the NATO Representation to Ukraine.
The meeting formally launched the SENTINEL Program, a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing Ukraine’s Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA). The program foresees the development of an integrated MDA system and the establishment of a JMCC to support real-time information sharing, improved situational awareness and coordinated inter-agency response across the maritime domain.
Discussions focused on the strategic rationale of the program, the governance structure of the Steering Committee and the implementation pathway toward 2028. Participants also addressed system integration, inter-agency cooperation and a risk management framework to ensure the sustainable and effective realization of the initiative.
In his welcoming remarks, Rolf Holmboe, Head of the European Union Advisory Mission to Ukraine, highlighted the core objective of the meeting and the SENTINEL Program:
“This first meeting of the SENTINEL Program Steering Committee marks an important step in strengthening maritime governance and inter-agency coordination in Ukraine. By bringing key institutions together, we are laying the foundations for a shared vision and a sustainable platform for cooperation that supports Ukraine’s reform objectives and European integration path.”
The launch of the Steering Committee represents a significant step toward building a resilient and sustainable maritime security framework, reinforcing cooperation between Ukrainian authorities and international partners in safeguarding Ukraine’s maritime domain.
