Training Ukrainian troops 'constrains' British army

Training Ukrainian soldiers "constrains" the UK's ability to train its own troops, a watchdog has warned.

- CHRISTOPHER MCKEON

The use of facilities for Operation Interflex has meant British srmy units saw bids for time in training areas rejected eight times more often in 2023 than they were in 2019.

In its report published yesterday, the NAO said: “The MoD has acknowledged that Interflex will constrain the British army’s capacity to train its own soldiers.”

Another training programme for Ukrainian marines, Operation Interforge, had to be moved to the Netherlands earlier this year because “the use of training facilities in the UK was threatening to compromise the Royal Marines’ own training needs”, the NAO added.

An MoD spokesperson said: “All UK forces have access to the relevant training required to be held at readiness to protect the UK and meet our Nato commitments.

“But we welcome the NAO’s report, which recognises that Ukrainian troops are better prepared to defend their country from Russia’s illegal invasion thanks to the UK providing training.”