Operation Interflex, a basic infantry training program for Ukrainian recruits, was found to be using a fifth of the Army’s training estate, according to a NAO inquiry of the UK’s military backing of Ukraine.
According to the parliamentary group, the operation led to the British Army units’ bids for training locations being turned down eight times more frequently in 2019 than in 2018.
They wrote in their report: “The MoD has acknowledged that Interflex will constrain the British Army’s capacity to train its own soldiers.”
This year, “the use of training facilities in the UK was threatening to compromise the Royal Marines’ own training needs” forced the relocation of Operation Interforge, another training program for Ukrainian troops, to the Netherlands.
The NAO also mentioned that due to UK military and civil aviation constraints, some Ukrainians have criticized Operation Interflex for lacking training on opposing and operating drones.
“All UK forces have access to the relevant training required to be held at readiness to protect the UK and meet our NATO commitments,” a Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesperson stated.
“However, we applaud the NAO’s assessment, which acknowledges that because of the UK’s training, Ukrainian forces are now better equipped to repel Russia’s illegitimate invasion.
