Sitrep: Op Interflex strategically important but there could be a better way to train troops
Training Ukrainian troops, despite interruptions to the training of UK personnel, is of high value due to its strategic importance, but that does not mean it could not be done in a better way.
That is the opinion of two defence experts who told BFBS Forces News the training of Ukrainian personnel in the UK could see British servicemen and women learn more from their counterparts.
It comes after a report from the National Audit Office (NAO) said providing training to Ukrainian recruits in the UK has reduced the availability of training facilities for British soldiers.
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.
But Commodore (Retired) Steve Prest told the BFBS Sitrep podcast this is because it has been decided that training Ukrainian personnel is more strategically important.
"Our contribution to the fight in Ukraine is of national strategic importance," he said.
Cdr Prest said these resources, such as money, troops, time and training areas "can only be committed once".
"Yes, there's been an impact, of course, but we've chosen to use those resources, and the NAO highlight the resources, the training areas and the time available in those training areas, to support something that is of national strategic importance," he said.
"So that strikes me as being a good choice."
Cdr Prest said that by using these resources for "that really important thing", namely training Ukrainian troops, then "they can't be used at the same time for something that we've considered to be slightly less important".
"It's right the NAO highlights that opportunity cost," he said. "But it is a choice and it's a question of prioritisation."
Cdr Prest added that the UK Government has decided "rightly so, that actually if Russia rolls over Ukraine… then actually that puts at risk some of the Nato countries" the UK is "committed to defend".
"And so using Ukraine as a bulwark against adventurism into the rest of Europe, I think, is really important," he added.
That did not, however, mean he thought the programme could not bring more benefit to British troops – something echoed by defence expert Professor Michael Clarke.
"We will need more innovative solutions," Prof Clarke said.
"I think we've got to start from the point… that this will go on in some sort of open-ended way.
"One of the things I'd quite like to see is more integrated training between British and Ukrainian forces because, remember, the Ukrainians have got a great deal to teach us.
"They are the ones fighting a real war on the frontlines against the adversary that we most worry about – Russia.
"And so, at some point and at some level, I think an integrated form of training would actually be pretty good."
Prof Clarke said there is more to be done for integrated approaches that would be beneficial to both Ukrainian and British troops, but added it needs to take a longer-term view.
"We can't just do hand-to-mouth every year and then decide, well, we'll try and do another, you know, another 25,000 this year, another 25,000 next year," he said.
"Let's assume it's a long-term commitment and take it from there."
You can listen to Sitrep wherever you get your podcasts, including on the Forces News YouTube channel.
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