UK to step up Ukraine forces training
The UK will step up its training programme for the Ukrainian armed forces, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon announced at the NATO Ministerial meeting in Brussels on 24 June.
The current programme by the UK has seen 650 Ukrainians receive tactical intelligence, logistics, infantry and medical training since March. With the expanded programme, around 250 personnel will be trained in additional medical, infantry and survival skills in August.
In addition, a NATO trust fund led by the UK and co-chaired by Canada and Germany will provide around 200 communication devices worth close to £3 million to the armed forces, and finance a Regional Airspace Security Programme (RASP). The RASP aims at providing Ukraine with the capabilities to share air traffic information with neighbouring countries.
The support package follows Fallon's announcement that the UK will contribute 1,000 troops to NATO's Very High Readiness Joint Task Force every year into the next decade. He also announced that the Royal Air Force Typhoon aircraft will be offered for Baltic air policing in 2016.
Fallon said: 'This stepping up of what has been a highly successful training scheme will mean more Ukrainian soldiers receiving vital training that will help them resist Russian aggression.
'Alongside our new commitment to provide troops to the NATO's new rapid reaction force and our decision to extend our contribution of British Typhoons to protect Baltic airspace, it shows that Britain stands at the heart of NATO and continues to support Ukraine's territorial integrity.'
More from Defence Notes
-
![Israel defence ministry pushes ambitious spending plans for tanks, drones and KC-46 aircraft]()
Israel defence ministry pushes ambitious spending plans for tanks, drones and KC-46 aircraft
The procurement and acceleration production plans – some of which still await approval – across the air and land domains will aim to strengthen the operational needs of the Israel Defense Forces.
-
![US reforms its defence acquisition system to focus on commercial capabilities]()
US reforms its defence acquisition system to focus on commercial capabilities
This shift is planned to accelerate the procurement and fielding of capabilities. As part of this strategy, the US also intends modernise its regulations in an attempt to change its bureaucratic and risk-averse culture.
-
![US Africa Command targets logistic solutions]()
US Africa Command targets logistic solutions
AFRICOM is seeking IT systems and supply chain management solutions to enhance interoperability and standardise logistical processes in its area of responsibility.
-
![Rheinmetall sales up by almost a quarter on wave of German spending]()
Rheinmetall sales up by almost a quarter on wave of German spending
Germany’s Rheinmetall released its 1H 2025 results on 7 August, continuing the strong growth of recent years. A particular highlight of the result’s presentation was the Skyranger air defence system for which the company is predicting sales of about US$8.2 billion from the German Government before the end of the year.
-
![Defence companies continue to ride procurement wave]()
Defence companies continue to ride procurement wave
Vehicle and technology companies are reporting substantial growth compared to the first half of 2024. Italy’s Fincantieri saw revenues jump 24% for the first half of the year compared to 2024 and Thales up 6.8% for the same period. General Dynamics reported second quarter revenue growth of 8.9% for the second quarter compared to last year and MilDef reported organic order intake growth of 58%.
