Trainings EUMAMEuropean Union Military Assistance Mission 2023

Around 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers were trained by German and multinational units on German soil during more than 260 training sessions in 2023. From mine defence and urban warfare to the PatriotPhased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target missile defence system, knowledge was imparted that is urgently needed in Ukraine to defend against Russia's invasion in violation of international law.

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The year 2023 is drawing to a close. The training mission EUMAM UAEuropean Union Military Assistance Mission Ukraine (European Union Military Assistance Mission Ukraine) can look back on a successful year. Established on November 15^th, 2022, a complex structure was set up in a very short space of time to coordinate all training for Ukrainian soldiers taking place in Germany. The training units are provided by both the Bundeswehr and the armed forces of other European nations.

Diversity of training 

This year alone, over 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been trained in over 260 training modules. The variety of training is partly due to the arms deliveries to Ukraine. Training on weapons systems such as the LEOPARD A1 tank, the MARDER armoured personnel carrier, the PATRIOT missile defence system or the PANZERHAUBITZE 2000 requires the highest level of expertise from the trainers. These were provided by the Bundeswehr, but also by trainers from several European nations. In addition, there are training courses such as an Assault Sapper Section Course ASSC (assault pioneers), rifleman or wooded and urban combat. Less high-tech content is taught there. Infantry skills take centre stage here. The wide range of training requires an equally wide range of trainers. Added to this are the many support staff such as translators, cooks, military police, medical services, etc. For every 10 Ukrainians undergoing training, a total of around 16 people are required.

Flexibility is the key 

The training units were adapted to the respective training. In assault engineer training, for example, mine-clearing experts had to organise the training together with infantry and medical soldiers in order to ensure the most efficient training success possible. However, not only did overarching skills have to be taught, it was also necessary to adapt to the changing needs of Ukraine. The needs usually depended directly on the course of the war and could therefore not be planned in the long term. This was certainly a challenge for the staff of the Special Training Command (ST-C), where all training-related threads came together. In addition, the training groups were rarely homogeneous. In most cases, the teams travelling from Ukraine consisted of soldiers with different levels of experience. This ranged from soldiers with front-line experience to recruits and recently drafted civilians. There were also huge age differences between the Ukrainians. It was the task of the training units to take all these differences into account during the training and to meet everyone where they were.

Outlook

EUMAM UAEuropean Union Military Assistance Mission Ukraine will be continued in 2024 and support Ukraine in its fight against the enemy. The experience gained in 2023 will be considered and the training will be increasingly adapted to Ukraine's needs. As next year's requirements will also have to be adapted to as yet unknown factors such as weapons deliveries and the course of the war, flexibility will remain the key to successful training. No matter how difficult it is to adapt the training, all European nations agree on one thing: we will continue, no matter how long it takes!