Australian troops will be deployed to Britain to train Ukrainian forces, helping to bolster the eastern European nation’s defenses against Vladimir Putin’s brutal invasion.
Key Points:
- A contingent of up to 70 ADF members will be deployed to the UK
- The staff will join a multinational training effort
- Australia will also send 30 additional Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles to Ukraine
A contingent of up to 70 members of the Australian Defense Force (ADF) will join the British-led multinational training effort known as Operation INTEFLEX just after Christmas, but will not enter Ukraine.
The commitment is part of a second support package announced by the Albanian government, which includes an additional 30 Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles.
“Australia has been unequivocal in its bipartisan support for Ukraine and its condemnation of President Putin,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
“We will continue to defend freedom and democracy,” he added.
“This is not just about Ukraine’s sovereignty; the brave people of Ukraine are standing up for international law, rules and norms.”
The deployment will bring the total number of Bushmasters sent to Ukraine to 90. (Supplied: Department of Defense)
The government will not specify exact dates for the ADF deployment citing “operational security”, but expects personnel to arrive in the UK sometime in January.
“Our soldiers will be part of a major training program in the UK to help prepare their Ukrainian colleagues for their fight against Russia’s unjustified and illegal aggression,” said the Defense Minister, Richard Marles.
“Since their arrival, the Bushmasters have been widely used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine with further requests by the President of Ukraine, the Minister of Defense and the Ambassador,” added Marles.
Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, met Defense Minister Richard Marles in Parliament earlier this year. (Department of Defense: Kym Smith)
This week’s federal budget allocated more than $200 million in additional aid to Ukraine, including $185.6 million in Defense assistance delivered from existing resources.
Australia’s total financial support for Ukraine now exceeds $655 million, including $475 million in military assistance to the war-torn nation.
The additional 30 Bushmasters will bring the total number of protected mobility vehicles sent to Ukraine to 90.
In addition to Bushmasters, Australia has donated six M777 howitzers and towed ammunition, 28 M113 armored vehicles, as well as anti-armor weapons and other weapons.