UK, Ukraine to train cadets in exchange program to enhance military capabilities
Ukrainian officer cadets will receive training at the British Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, enhancing the development of Ukraine’s future military leadership. Meanwhile, British officer cadets will have the opportunity to attend training institutions in Ukraine to gain firsthand experience from the Ukrainian Armed Forces about their battlefield strategies.
As the UK pledges to increase its military aid to Ukraine in 2025, this announcement was made by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on January 16 in the course of his surprise visit to Kyiv, Caliber.Az reports citing the UK government's official press release.
His statement follows previous ones on the development of a new joint training initiative with Ukraine and allied nations, which will build on the success of the Operation Interflex training program, which already trained over 51,000 Ukrainian recruits in the past two years.
The Prime Minister also revealed plans to provide Ukraine with a new mobile air defence system this year.
The UK is set to deliver unprecedented military support to Ukraine in 2025, committing £3 billion (approx. $3.66 billion) for lethal aid. Additionally, the first £1.5 billion ($1.83 billion) of a £2.26 billion ($2.75 billion) loan under the G7 Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration scheme will be released to fund major procurement projects. This loan will be repaid using extraordinary profits from immobilized Russian sovereign assets.
This funding will not only support Ukraine but is set to also bolster the UK defense industry, creating domestic jobs and aligning with the government’s overall growth objectives.
By Nazrin Sadigova