MYEFO: New money pledged to train Ukrainian soldiers

Australian Defence Force personnel will train more Ukrainian soldiers under a new $186m commitment, as the country’s war effort against Russia flounders.

Richard Marles visits Australian personnel in southern England, where they are training Ukrainian recruits before they head to the frontline. Picture: Jacquelin Magnay

Australian Defence Force personnel will train more Ukrainian soldiers under a new $186m commitment, as the country’s war effort against Russia flounders.

The funding boost in the mid-year outlook will lift the number of deployed army trainers under “Operation Kudu” to 90 per rotation, or 360 across 2024.

The budget update included $575m over 11 years to stand up a nuclear safety regulator for the AUKUS submarine program, but there was no new money for ADF capabilities despite government warnings of unprecedented strategic risks.

The army trainers will be based in Britain, far from the hostilities in Ukraine. Defence Minister Richard Marles will travel to Darwin on Thursday to meet 70 soldiers who recently returned from the training mission. Australian soldiers have helped to train more than 1200 Ukrainians in basic infantry tactics, focusing on urban and forest battle skills.

Mr Marles said the trainers were helping Ukrainian recruits develop “critical skills” to defend against Russian invaders. “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.

Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, welcomed the “meaningful contribution to propping up Ukraine’s defence capabilities”. He has also appealed for donations of “life-­giving” coal to help the country get through another winter.