The announcement comes as the Prime Minister met with the Ukrainian Prime Minister, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, for bilateral talks in Downing Street.
The exercise, Rapid Trident 2015, brings British soldiers together with troops from several other partner nations in the west of Ukraine. Starting on the 20th of July, the exercise is designed to promote regional stability and security, strengthen Ukraine’s defensive capacity, and build trust between participating nations.
The British Army is sending Battle Group Headquarters staff and an infantry platoon from 1st Battalion The Rifles, a total of around 50 personnel, to provide vital training and contribute to the mission command headquarters.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:
“This underlines our commitment to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine and our other Eastern European partners.
Alongside my recent announcement that we are stepping up our training of Ukrainian forces and our delivery of crucial equipment, it sends a clear message that we stand firm with Ukraine in the face of aggression.”
This is the 13th Rapid Trident exercise, which was first conducted in 1998, and will be the ninth time the UK has participated.
