Nearly 100 Australian Defence Force (ADF) members will travel to the United Kingdom to help train Ukrainian military personnel to defend their country in the conflict with Russia, which is heading into its second year.
The Operation Kudu expansion saw 90 members of the ADF fly out from Adelaide as part of the latest military assistance.
Previously, 70 defence personnel were sent to train Ukrainian forces, but in 2024, rotations will increase to 90 members at a time.
Acting Defence Minister Matt Thistlethwaite stated that a total of 370 Australians are training Ukrainian infantry members.
“So, it’s an important role that the Australian troops that are heading off today will be performing,” he said.
Since January 2023, Australian soldiers have trained over 1,200 Ukrainian troops in multinational training missions.
Military personnel from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and recently, Romania have participated in the training initiative since June 2022.
“This is an illegal and unprovoked invasion that Russia undertook, and Australia has been one of the largest non-NATO supporters of the effort of the Ukrainian military to resist,” Mr. Thistlethwaite said.
Further, he noted Australia had contributed approximately $910 million (US$610 million) to support Ukraine.
“It involves things like about $730 million worth of military aid in the form of 120 Bushmasters, a Wedgetail aircraft, howitzer guns, artillery, as well as the on-the-ground support that we’ve been providing for aid for Ukrainian communities to recover,” he said.
He mentioned support would persist to ensure Ukraine could defend itself and maintain its sovereignty.
Australia’s continuous contribution aligns with the Albanese government’s strong backing for Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles said ADF personnel provided “critical skills” to Ukrainian recruits to defend against Russia’s invasion.
“Our growing commitment to the multinational training mission affirms our pledge to provide meaningful and relevant support to the government and people of Ukraine,” he said.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong also weighed in.
“Training members of Ukraine’s Armed forces is an important way that Australia is empowering Ukraine to end the war on its own terms,” she said.
Opposition Concerned Over Delays
However, Shadow Foreign Minister Simon Birmingham expressed concern that the Albanese government was delaying a response to Ukraine’s request for additional coal shipments from Australia.Australia supplied coal to assist with Ukraine’s energy needs before their last winter.
“Having failed to be proactive, the least the Albanese government could have done was to give a quick yes when Ukraine was forced to ask in early December for this assistance to continue.”
Further, he said Australia’s support for Ukraine had slowed, with the nation no longer being the leading non-NATO contributor.
He described the slowed support as a “blow” to Australia’s global reputation for being prepared to defend the nation’s values and principles.
He explained that around 70 other countries have reopened their embassies in Kyiv since the initial closures in February 2022.
“Reopening Australia’s embassy in Kyiv would send a strong message reinforcing Australia’s commitment to Ukraine’s defence and the defence of the international rules that we all rely upon.”
