Interflex a success, but training Ukrainians means fewer opportunities for Army

Providing training to Ukrainian recruits in the UK has reduced the availability of training facilities for British soldiers, according to a report.

The National Audit Office found Army units which bid for time at training sites in 2023 had their applications rejected eight times more often than in 2019, because sites were not available.

The Ministry of Defence has acknowledged that the training of the Ukrainians on Operation Interflex will constrain the Army's capacity to train its own soldiers, with more than a quarter of the Army’s training estate being used.

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Operation Interflex has been a success, with more than 45,000 Ukrainians being trained in the UK by British personnel and their allies.

"In response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine the UK sought to provide support quickly, through less structured management processes," said the head of the NAO, Gareth Davies.

"As the war has progressed, the MOD has learnt lessons, establishing a more routine approach for the £7.8bn of military support it is providing.

"As the Ministry of Defence plans its future support for Ukraine, it must continue to balance the UK's strategic interests with maintaining the UK's own military capabilities.

"This includes making sure there are appropriate stocks of equipment and sufficient training provision for UK forces."

The NAO compared the availability of training sites in 2023 with that in 2019 - predating the war in Ukraine and the Covid pandemic.

However, the MOD does not monitor whether units are able to rebook after their initial bid has been rejected.

Neverthless, Operation Interflex has achieved its aim.

The report surveyed the fourth and most recent tranche of 9,000 Ukrainian trainees, 43% of whom had previous combat experience.

While aviation regulations in the UK limited drone training on the course, 89% said they left feeling better equipped to fight Russia.

The British Army will work with reserves and international partners to mitigate the impact of this support, and Operation Interflex will continue until at least the end of 2025.

Operation Interforge, the programme to train Ukrainian marines, was moved to the Netherlands in February.

The NAO found the use of UK facilities had threatened to compromise the training needs of the Royal Marines.