An institutional audit of the Professional Military Education (PME) system conducted by a NATO expert group throughout 2025 has been completed.

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported this on January 16.

The main conclusion was recognition of Ukraine’s significant and convincing progress in aligning military training with NATO standards, despite the challenges of Russia’s full-scale armed aggression.

The audit aimed to verify implementation of the 2020 recommendations and assess the readiness of higher military educational institutions to certify courses according to NATO standards.

The audit took place in several stages, from self-assessment by educational institutions to direct work by the expert group in autumn 2025. The analysis covered the legal framework, educational programs, and management systems.

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 systemic recommendations, including:

  • Creation of a multi-level education system (L-1 to L-5) for officers and NATO-style reform of NCO education;

  • Introduction of NATO-standard planning and decision-making procedures (TLP, MDMP, OPP/JOPP);

  • Integration of leadership principles and Mission Command into training;

  • Increased English language proficiency requirements in line with STANAG 6001;

  • Recognition of military professions within Ukraine’s National Qualifications Framework.

Successful integration of Ukrainian military educational institutions into the European Security and Defence College (ESDC) network was also noted.

“The Ministry of Defense has already begun analyzing the recommendations provided by the NATO expert group for further transformation of the military education system”, — the MoD stated.