Training Tensions: How British Army’s Support for Ukraine Impacts Its Own Troops’ Preparedness

According to a National Audit Office report, the Ministry of Defence has admitted that Operation Interflex will limit the British Army's ability to conduct training for its own troops, as training grounds are increasingly allocated to Ukrainian forces.

By Dylan Donnelly, journalism correspondent

Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at 7

The National Audit Office (NAO) has reported that aiding Ukrainian forces hampers the British Army's capacity to conduct training for its personnel.

An inquiry conducted by the National Audit Office into the UK's military aid to Ukraine revealed that 25% of the Army's training grounds were allocated for a fundamental infantry training initiative for Ukrainian volunteers, referred to as Operation Interflex.

The legislative group reported that, due to the recent operation, there was an eightfold increase in the rejection rate of British Army units seeking training locations last year compared to 2019.

In their report, it was noted: "The Ministry of Defense has recognized that Interflex will limit the ability of the British Army to train its personnel."

Operation Interforge, a training initiative for Ukrainian marines, was relocated to the Netherlands this year as the utilization of training sites in the UK risked impeding the training requirements of the Royal Marines.

The National Audit Office has observed that Operation Interflex has faced criticism from some Ukrainians who feel the training on drone usage and countermeasures is insufficient due to UK military and civilian aviation regulations.

A spokesperson from the Ministry of Defence stated, "All UK forces are provided with the necessary training to maintain readiness in defending the UK and fulfilling our obligations to NATO.

"We appreciate the National Audit Office's findings, which acknowledge that Ukrainian forces are more equipped to protect their nation against Russia’s unlawful incursion due to the training provided by the UK."

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The Ministry of Defense reported that over 45,000 Ukrainians have undergone training in the UK since the full-scale invasion by Russia started in February 2022.

According to the Ministry of Defense, 89% of the latest group of Ukrainian soldiers reported that British training improved their readiness for combat.

Gareth Davies, leader of the NAO, stated: "In its ongoing planning for aid to Ukraine, the Ministry of Defence must ensure it aligns with the UK's strategic objectives while preserving its own military capacities."

"This involves ensuring that UK forces have adequate supplies of equipment and proper training resources available."

Since February 2022, the UK has contributed £171.5 million worth of supplies from its inventory to Ukraine. Additionally, it has allocated £2.4 billion to acquire new equipment for Kyiv.

The Ministry of Defense informed the National Audit Office that the expense of restocking UK supplies is anticipated to far exceed the worth of the equipment provided, with projected expenditures reaching £2.71 billion through the fiscal year 2030-31.

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In its report, the Ministry of Defence explained that the variation is due to the UK acquiring more modern and in some instances, more sophisticated equipment than what was provided to Ukraine.

Following a recent announcement by Defence Secretary John Healey, Operation Interflex is set to proceed into the next year.

The official convened with his European colleagues and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a security conference in Germany the previous week.

The inquiry by the NAO did not aim to assess the strategic rationale for aiding Ukraine or determine the cost-effectiveness of the assistance. Its sole purpose was to clarify the details of the support being offered.

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