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Australian Defence Force personnel have recently engaged in training and instruction with Ukrainian soldiers in efforts to support more coordinated and effective defence readiness.
Under Operation Kudu, ADF members are providing Ukrainian soldiers with a range of training methods and techniques in order to “command in a complex and constantly evolving battlespace”.
Defence said that multinational training and teaching efforts like this allow for soldiers to develop their expertise in scenarios replicating a real battlefield from all angles, not just front-line tactics.
“When you’re at the front, you get tunnel vision. We’re trying to help them see the bigger picture and control everything happening around them,” said Australian Training Team Commander Major Jarrad Dekuyer.
“The Australian contingent here is delivering leadership training from section commander through to platoon and company level.”
Training in replicated open terrain, trench warfare and urban environments allowed soldiers to learn the best operating methods possible within unique, ever-changing combat zones.
MAJ Dekuyer said that due to the fact that many of the soldiers have been taught new techniques following recent, real-life combat, this changes how the training is delivered and received.
“The Australian Army has developed a very strong junior and senior non-commissioned officer corps. Those leadership lessons are what we’re able to share with the Ukrainian Army,” he said.
“One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned from the Ukrainian soldiers is resilience.”
Operation Kudu is a UK-led mission that has seen ADF members train over 2,000 Ukrainian personnel since its first iteration in 2023.
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