Call for Abstracts: Total Defence Ukraine – Ellisiv Forum 26
We are pleased to invite submissions for abstracts for a volume of the series Necesse.
Total Defence Ukraine – Ellisiv Forum 26 (TDUKE26) is a conference planned to take place in late autumn 2026. It is held in collaboration with Necesse, a military-academic publication dedicated to maritime security.
In this context, the journal Necesse serves as a platform for discussions among experts on topics related to total defence and assisting Ukraine in enhancing its military capacities, extending beyond maritime issues.
The conference is also linked to Norway's Operation Ellisiv, which aims to support Ukraine militarily and facilitate knowledge transfer.
Organised by the Norwegian Defence University College (NDUC), we look forward to receiving your abstract submissions!
Deadline for submission of abstracts: 12 February 2026
Point of contact: jomattingsdal@mil.no
TDUKE 26
The Total Defence Ukraine – Ellisiv Forum 26 is a conference dedicated to advancing dialogue, collaboration, and innovative strategies to tackle the security and defence challenges confronting Ukraine and its partners. Bringing together global experts, policymakers, military leaders, and scholars, the forum serves as a platform for sharing insights, research, and practical experiences that strengthen a comprehensive defence framework.
Aims
1. Foster partnerships among government, industry, and academia to strengthen defence capabilities.
2. Provide a platform for experts to exchange best practices and innovative defence solutions.
3. Discuss frameworks for societal resilience against various threats.
More about
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What is Ellisiv?
The Nansen Programme is Norway’s long-term framework for supporting Ukraine in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Launched in 2023, the programme was initially set at NOK 75 billion over five years (2023–2027). Towards the end of 2024, the Norwegian government decided to extend the programme until 2030. With this extension, the total allocation rose to NOK 205 billion, making it the largest and longest-lasting aid commitment in the history of Norway.
The programme combines military and humanitarian assistance with reconstruction support, ensuring both immediate and long-term help for Ukraine.
The financial framework provided by the Nansen Programme has given the Norwegian Armed Forces a solid foundation for planning. As a result, the Norwegian Armed Forces have developed a five-year plan and consolidated their efforts under Operation Ellisiv, named after a Ukrainian princess who married King Harald Hardråde.
The Norwegian defence sector’s support for Ukraine is based on Ukraine’s needs and what the Norwegian Armed Forces can provide, in close coordination with allies and partners.
The Norwegian Armed Forces have donated their own equipment to Ukraine and participate in several international initiatives that provide equipment, exercises, and training. Norwegian military support forms part of the overarching Nansen Programme and is organised into five main areas:
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Donation of equipment from the defence sector
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Donation of equipment procured through international cooperation and mechanisms
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Donation of equipment purchased from industry
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Training and education of Ukrainian personnel
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Donation or financing of production licences for Norwegian defence technology
The Norwegian Defence University College is involved in Operation Ellisiv through education, leadership and research on military operations with its Ukrainian partners at the National Defence University of Ukraine.
In this work, the Norwegian Defence University College sees a clear need for a forum where experiences from Ukraine are discussed, analysed and shared, in order to strengthen our defence capability and better prepare us for future security challenges. Therefore, we are organising this conference to promote dialogue and cooperation.
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Necesse publishes articles that illuminate issues relevant to naval military operational activity.
The series publishes popular science and academic articles, and is approved as an interdisciplinary academic journal at level 1 in the Norwegian publication system.
It is in an "open access" format, where all editions can be retrieved from the Norwegian Research Information Repository (NVA). All academic articles are also searchable there and available as PDF documents.
Editorial Board
Editor: Åse Gilje Østensen, Norwegian Defence University College
Members: Anders Tarlebø Løvik and Jostein Mattingsdal, Norwegian Defence University College
Volume focus
For this volume of Necesse we invite contributions which develop total defence as a field and its relevance for the war on Ukraine. The contributions may be empirical or theoretical.
We welcome submissions from academics, students, educators, total defence practitioners, and others.
Contributions may want to explore (but are not limited to) the following topics:
1. Ongoing Efforts of Ukraine's Armed Forces and Their Allies
Analyzing the current initiatives and strategies employed by Ukraine's armed forces and their international supporters in response to the ongoing conflict.
2. Military Capability Enhancement
Examining strategies for strengthening Ukraine's military capabilities, including training, resource allocation, and institutional reforms.
3. Interoperability with NATO
Analyzing best practices and frameworks for ensuring effective cooperation between Ukrainian forces and NATO allies in future joint operations.
4. Hybrid Warfare and Resilience
Exploring the challenges of hybrid warfare in the Ukrainian context, including cyber threats and disinformation campaigns, and discussing resilience-building measures.
Submission guidelines
We accept the following formats: peer-reviewed, semi-scientific (non-peer-reviewed, including perspective articles), and book review.
Expressions of interest to contribute to this volume should consist of:
- Working title of the article
- A 200-word abstract
- A list of 5 keywords
For detailed author guidelines, please go to the Journal home page