Australian Defence Force instructors train Ukrainian Army recruits in the UK. Photo: ADF.
The Australian Defence Force’s mission to the UK to train Ukrainian Army recruits under Operation KUDU will be extended for a further year.
The UK-led multinational training mission commenced in June 2022 to train Ukrainian Army recruits in the UK, and Australia has committed an initial 70 ADF instructors in two five-month rotations since January 2023 to assist with the training.
During its first year, ADF instructors trained some 1200 Ukrainian recruits in basic infantry tactics in urban and wooded environments. Apart from Australia and the UK, the training mission includes instructors from Canada, New Zealand, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Romania.
On 14 December, Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles announced an extension to Australia’s commitment to Operation KUDU and increased the commitment to 90 ADF instructors.
The additional instructors will expand the ADF’s training role to include a junior leadership training program. The program will focus on areas such as foundation warfighting skills, including urban and trench warfare, combat first aid, explosive hazard awareness and marksmanship.
Mr Marles said ADF personnel are providing critical skills to Ukrainian recruits to defend against Russia’s ongoing invasion.
“We are proud to expand Australia’s support for Operation Kudu, a mission that cements international solidarity for Ukraine,” he said.
“Our growing commitment to the multinational training mission affirms our pledge to provide meaningful and relevant support to the government and people of Ukraine.”
The first ADF rotation to Operation KUDU return to Australia in June 2023. Photo: ADF.
Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong said, since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Australia has remained steadfast in its commitment to shaping a world in which no country dominates.
“Training members of Ukraine’s Armed forces is an important way that Australia is empowering Ukraine to end the war on its own terms,” she said.
“Australia is proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with the brave Ukrainians who are defending their people, their territory, and their sovereignty.”
The Australian Government has to date donated about $910 million in military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine since the war started in February 2022.
Apart from the Operation KUDU deployments of the ADF instructors and a Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail airborne command and control aircraft, donated military equipment includes 120 Bushmaster protected military vehicles, 28 MAN 40M armoured trucks, 56 M113AS4 armoured personnel carriers, 14 Nary special operations vehicles, six M777 howitzers and ammunition, anti-drone systems and other systems.
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