SENTINEL programme moves into implementation phase to strengthen Ukraine’s maritime security

The European Union Advisory Mission to Ukraine (EUAM) and the Ukrainian Defence Ministry have announced the start of implementation of the SENTINEL programme, marking a milestone in ongoing efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s maritime security and Maritime Domain Awareness. 

At a meeting on 6 May, both sides formally approved the Concept of Operations for the SENTINEL programme, paving the way for the initiative to move from the development stage into its implementation phase.

The programme was formally launched in January 2026 and foresees the development of an integrated Maritime Domain Awareness system and the establishment of a Joint Maritime Security Centre to support real-time information sharing, improved situational awareness and coordinated inter-agency response across the maritime domain. 

The future Joint Maritime Security Centre is expected to enhance cooperation among Ukraine’s maritime actors by supporting a shared understanding of agencies’ duties, responsibilities, and operational constraints. It will also contribute to smoother information exchange, stronger risk analysis based on a broader database and more intelligence-led control of the maritime domain, and build the foundations for Euro-Atlantic integration in maritime security.

The initiative will also help to strengthen international cooperation in the Black Sea and beyond, with the future centre acting as a point of contact for real-time information exchange with international maritime partners.

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Press release