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The Australian federal government has committed additional troops for Operation Kudu and a renewed focus to train Ukrainian soldiers in Europe.
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The Australian Army’s current rotation of 70 personnel expanded to around 90 in January to include a junior leader training program, as part of Australia’s continued support to Ukraine. The support program had previously been increased to 70 ADF personnel and extended to 2024 in June last year.
As part of this commitment, soldiers from the 7th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (7RAR), deployed to the UK recently to lead Armed Forces of Ukraine personnel through the first iterations of the section commander, platoon commander, and platoon and company sergeant battle courses.
7RAR’s contingent commander, Major Michael Jack, said realistic training was key to achieving mission success.
“The skills that are being developed by the Armed Forces of Ukraine members range from small arms training with their individual weapons, first aid and care of the combat casualty, and tactics training in rural, urban and trench environments,” MAJ Jack said.
“The idea with these scenarios is to replicate as much of the combat situation in Ukraine as possible.
“We have weapon effects to replicate the sound of artillery and indirect fire.”
MAJ Jack said he is proud of the part his team had played in assisting more than 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers since June 2022 as part of the wider UK-led and based training program.
“It’s very humbling and a privileged feeling to be having this key role as part of our mission,” MAJ Jack said.
Commander 9th Brigade Brigadier Tim Orders said the quality of the training being delivered by the team was world class and a testament to the skill and professionalism of the Australian soldier.
“Junior leadership training provides an opportunity to develop skills for key personnel within the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which are critical in the nation’s ongoing fight against Russia’s unilateral, illegal and immoral aggression,” BRIG Orders said.
“The results of the training are helping Ukrainian recruits generate the additional capacity needed to defend their homeland.”
Earlier this week in the US, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III held a meeting with Ukrainian Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov on 4 March.
Both representatives discussed the latest situation updates on the ground in Ukraine while Secretary Austin reiterated continued support for Ukraine from the United States and a coalition of around 50 allies. Both leaders agreed on the urgent need to pass the US administration’s bipartisan National Security Supplemental and pledged to remain in close contact, according to Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder.
