Early next year, up to 70 ADF personnel will travel to the UK to train Ukrainian soldiers. They will join the international training program known as Interflex, as part of the Australian government’s latest aid package to Ukraine.
The decision to deploy Australian Defence Force troops to Interflex was announced late last month, following the Albanese government’s budget. The October budget included an additional $213 million aid for Ukraine, to be spread over the next five years.
This latest financial support package includes $186 million worth of military aid, with provisions such as 30 more Bushmaster protected military transport vehicles, and armoured personnel carriers. The remaining funds will cover extra humanitarian visas for Ukrainians, and funding to help improve Ukrainian cybersecurity in their border guard.
“Our soldiers will be part of a large training program in the United Kingdom to help prepare their Ukrainian mates for their struggle against Russia’s unwarranted and unlawful aggression,” confirmed Defence Minister and deputy PM Richard Marles.
Australia has been signalling for a few months that the ADF might join other countries in training Ukrainian troops, so the announcement does not come as a surprise.
What is Interflex?
Operation Interflex is a multinational military operation to train and support Ukrainian Armed Forces, led by the UK. It succeeds the older Operation Orbital, which was launched in 2015, after Russia annexed Crimea.
But unlike Orbital, Interflex runs out of the UK, and is supported by international military contingents. Countries currently participating in Interflex include New Zealand, Canada, Sweden, Finland, and more.
“We set a target of 10,000 troops [to train through Interflex],” said UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace. “But through this pipeline, I envisage that we will continue to train as many as are sent by Ukraine.”
The operation trains a lot of new recruits, turning them into soldiers for the Ukrainian Army in just five weeks. Recruits receive basic military training, including in weapons proficiency, patrol tactics, fieldcraft, and battlefield first aid. Participants are also provided with the necessary equipment and clothing.
“We will continue to stand up for freedom and democracy,” said Prime Minister Albanese of the ADF deployment. “This is not just about Ukraine’s sovereignty; the brave people of Ukraine are defending international law, rules and norms.” Opposition leader Peter Dutton confirmed the Coalition’s support of the decision.
In Europe, the UK and other NATO allies have also stated they will ramp up support for Ukrainian soldiers through the winter months.
Ukraine has recently made significant gains in the east and south of the country, including weeks of advances on the key city of Kherson. Yesterday, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered his forces to withdraw from the banks of the nearby Dnipro River, in the face of the Ukrainian advance.
Cover image: Australian Bushmaster, by ResoluteSupportMedia is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
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