RAF Typhoons and 300 British personnel will join 2,800 troops from 11 nations in Poland this month for Exercise Koalicja, the first major exercise run by the UK and France’s Multinational Force Ukraine, according to the government.
The exercise runs from 9 to 22 November and will test how to move, protect and supply a force that would help rebuild Ukraine’s armed forces once the fighting ends. Soldiers from the British Army’s 7 Brigade, the Desert Rats, will rehearse logistical movements. RAF Typhoons and a Voyager refuelling aircraft will fly sorties overhead, and the jets will simulate how they would reassure commercial air travel once Ukraine’s skies reopen.
Turkish forces will stand up the force’s maritime element in Istanbul, testing arrangements for mine clearance so commercial shipping can return safely to Ukraine’s ports. The exercise will also test command-and-control arrangements and how the different components operate as one multinational force. Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Türkiye and the UK are taking part.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said: “This exercise shows the UK is stepping up, alongside France and our allies, to prepare for the day peace comes to Ukraine. This isn’t a hypothetical plan, it’s a real force, ready to help Ukraine once the fighting stops. By leading this work with our allies, we are protecting the UK and Europe for the long term and delivering on our commitment to keep the country safe. Ukraine’s security is our security, and we will stand with them for as long as it takes.”
Lieutenant General Tom Bateman, commander of the Multinational Force Ukraine, said: “This exercise will show that the Multinational Force-Ukraine is a real, capable, readily deployable force that represents a serious commitment from Coalition of the Willing nations to Ukraine’s long-term stability and security. The MNF-U will be more ready every day to support Ukraine when the fighting ends, ensuring the Armed Forces of Ukraine are in the strongest possible position to deter future aggression.”
The Ministry of Defence said the force would only move into Ukraine once fighting has ceased and at the request of Ukraine’s government, and that it would not carry out peacekeeping or ceasefire-monitoring duties. Its role would be to enable safer Ukrainian skies and seas and to regenerate Ukrainian forces. The force’s headquarters is set to move from Paris to London this year.
Bateman took command from his French counterpart in July in a planned rotation at the Paris headquarters, after the force was declared Ready to Operate at a Coalition of the Willing summit, the UK Defence Journal reported at the time.
I’ve yet to see the lethality that the army keeps talking about.
Wow the British army getting ready to execute a military operation with out the US telling them how to do it. Better dust off the old field manuals 😀
30 years since the first UK exercise in Poland when 7 Bde deployed from Hohne and Fallingbostel in Germany for Exercise Ulan Eagle.
How time have changed, 300 troops in “light” vehicles, back then 2 Regts of Challenger, A Regt of AS90, 2 Armd Infantry in Warriors, an Armd Engr Regt plus all the other supporting Troops and Equipment that kept the Brigade in the “fight”
Hi folks,
I do agree that the UKs military should be involved in a expedition force to suppoprt the Ukrainian military. Although I thought we have been doing so from 2014 after Russia annexed Crimea, training Ukrainian army, then support after the invasion of Ukraine mainland. Nonetheless, 11 nations putting together 2800 personnel does seem rather woeful. Of course no doubt once deployed can be reinforced if required. This is only an aexercise. My question is why aren’t countries closer to Ukraine sending larger numbers of troops?
Cheers
George
‘help rebuild Ukraine’s armed forces’ made me laugh.