Australian troops find new base for Ukraine training
Australian troops will be deployed to Poland in the coming weeks as part of efforts to train Ukrainian soldiers for their ongoing war against Russia.
Australian Defense Force personnel will take part in the Norwegian-led Operation Legio near the Ukrainian border to teach basic infantry tactics, leadership and military skills, Defense Minister Richard Marles said.
Australia has been providing similar support through the UK-based Operation Interflex since 2023, but the federal government now says it makes sense to train closer to Ukraine.
“The Australian Army’s men and women will continue their vital work training new recruits of the Ukrainian Armed Forces for as long as necessary,” Mr Marles told a defense summit on Tuesday night. he said.
“The lessons learned (in Ukraine), good or bad, will be applied here, which is why we have been supporting the Ukrainian people from the beginning,” he said.
Operation Legio was first established in 2022 with a number of European countries.
The ADF has previously trained more than 3,650 Ukrainian military personnel in the UK, and the federal government has given Kiev more than $1.7 billion to help it in its war against Russia.
Some ADF troops were previously in Poland to help deploy the E-7A Wedgetail, an advanced air force surveillance aircraft that provides intelligence and helps Ukraine coordinate battlefield movements.
“Australia continues to tailor our contributions to Ukraine to ensure our support remains practical, relevant and aligned with the most pressing needs,” Mr Marles said.
