The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that Operation Interflex, the UK’s flagship programme to train Ukrainian forces, will be extended through to the end of 2026.
The announcement, made by Defence Secretary John Healey on Ukrainian Independence Day, underscores Britain’s long-term commitment to bolstering Kyiv’s military strength both for the ongoing war and as a deterrent under any eventual peace settlement.
Since 2022, more than 50,000 Ukrainian recruits have been trained in Britain under Interflex, with the UK coordinating support from 13 partner nations. What began as a five-week basic infantry course has steadily expanded into a more comprehensive system, with seven-week cycles and new specialist modules.
“The UK is united for Ukraine. We will continue to step up our support alongside allies, so that Ukraine can defend today and deter tomorrow,” Healey said.
“On this special day for the freedom and democracy of the Ukrainian people, we are ramping up and evolving our world-leading training support that has given more than 50,000 Ukrainians vital combat skills.”
A central change in the programme is its evolution towards leadership and instructor training. Two additional courses now sit alongside basic infantry training: one for platoon and section commanders, and another preparing new instructors who can in turn build Ukraine’s indigenous training capacity.
Survey data from Ukrainian trainees illustrates the impact. Between January and August 2025, 83% of participants in leadership courses said they felt better able to make their troops more survivable, while 93% reported increased confidence in making them more lethal.
Artem, a Ukrainian soldier currently on the Platoon and Company Sergeants Course, described the UK programme as both rigorous and realistic. “I am grateful for the opportunity to take such courses, for the high level of professionalism of the instructors, their dedication to their work, and for their ability to organise both group training and find an individual approach for each of us,” he said.
“I learned how important it is to be prepared for coordinated actions in conditions of increased danger, how to properly coordinate personnel during defence, and planning offensive actions.”
Would not be surprised at all if they return the favour and teach our forces about drone warfare.
Good.
I think this should always have been the focus of Interflex, developing NCO cadre, Junior officers, Staff Officers and Wider Command Courses…
The solution to training all of the infantry was to have many of the experienced military volunteers who flooded into Ukraine over the last 3 years to help undertake this in country, funded by the West, lots of personnel with experience of Iraq and Afghanistan went in and that experience of basic and advanced (in some respects) infantry skills and tactics was wasted