(MENAFN- UkrinForm) Approximately 900 Ukrainian marines have completed the course in the United Kingdom, which was conducted by Royal Marines and army Commandos, during a six-month UK programme supported by international partners. Ukrinform reports this with reference to the UK government website.
The training was announced by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to the UK in February.
It is the first programme of amphibious training delivered by the UK to Ukraine, culminating with the Ukrainian marines planning and conducting raids by both day and night.
“Each training cohort underwent a rigorous five-week programme, developing individual skills including fieldcraft, battlefield first aid, close quarters combat, and fitness, and unit planning in realistic scenarios,” the report says.
The training will further support Ukraine's capability to develop its own marine force and develop an international training concept for marines.
It is noted that equipment used in the training is the same as some of the military support the UK has provided to Ukraine, with more than 10,000 anti-tank weapons including thousands of NLAW systems already provided.
After completing training, Ukrainian military personnel are returning to Ukraine.
“The UK has led the way in training the Armed Force of Ukraine, providing world-leading training in frontline combat skills to more than 20,000 of Ukraine's Army recruits through Operation Interflex. This programme of training, delivered by elite British commandos, will support Ukraine to build its own distinct marine force and expand its capability to operate in a maritime environment,” said British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace.
As reported by Ukrinform, the best instructors of the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom, the Australian Union, the Kingdom of Denmark, Canada, the Republic of Lithuania, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Kingdom of Norway, Finland, the Kingdom of Sweden, and Ukraine are involved in the multinational training operation Interflex in 2023.
Photo: Ministry of Defence UK