A team of 18 soldiers from the Royal Gibraltar Regiment (RG) recently participated in a British-led initiative to train Ukrainian soldiers in the UK, according to a press release from the Ministry of Defence.
The five-week Basic Infantry Course aimed to transform 116 raw recruits from Ukraine into battle-ready soldiers.
The RG collaborated with British Army Reservists and the Estonian Army as part of Operation Interflex, which has trained over 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers in the UK so far.
The course covered a wide range of military skills, including weapon handling, field craft, medical training, counter-explosive ordnance techniques, urban and rural combat, and trench warfare. The training culminated in a live-fire exercise.
A spokesperson for the Royal Gibraltar Regiment highlighted the importance of the international effort to enhance the capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).
“This collective effort reflects the spirit of international cooperation, knowledge sharing, and professional development, to enhance the capabilities and readiness of the AFU,” the spokesperson said.
The recruits had varying levels of experience. Some were already proficient in the use of rifles, machine guns, and anti-tank weaponry, while others had no prior military background. Despite these differences, the spokesperson noted that the course successfully transformed the recruits into competent soldiers.
“Through rigorous training, discipline, and dedication, they evolved into competent and skilled individuals in just five weeks,” they added.
The Ministry of Defence says the training is vital for improving the survivability and effectiveness of Ukrainian forces on the frontlines. The Royal Gibraltar Regiment’s participation in this effort is part of a broader commitment to global military cooperation, with the Regiment having deployed personnel across three continents this year.
I’ve seen these guys in both ceremonial and training roles. Very professional and a credit to The Rock.