Desert Rats to lead British troops in huge Ukraine peace wargame
Britain’s famous Desert Rats will join RAF Typhoons and troops from 10 other nations in a major exercise preparing for possible security operations in Ukraine once the war ends.
Britain’s famed Desert Rats will be among hundreds of UK troops taking part in a major European wargame preparing for the day fighting ends in Ukraine.
Around 300 British personnel will head to Poland for Exercise Koalicja, where they will join forces from 10 other countries to rehearse how troops could help secure Ukraine and support its armed forces after the war.
Soldiers from the British Army’s 7 Light Mechanised Brigade, known as the Desert Rats, will practise moving troops, fuel, food and other vital supplies across Europe.
The brigade traces its famous nickname back to British forces that fought in North Africa during the Second World War.
RAF Typhoon fighter jets and a Voyager refuelling aircraft will also take part, flying missions designed to simulate how military aircraft could help reassure commercial airlines when Ukrainian airspace eventually reopens.
The huge exercise will involve around 2,800 military personnel from 11 countries and run from November 9 to 22.
It will be the first major exercise staged by the Multinational Force Ukraine, or MNF-U, the military arm of the Coalition of the Willing set up by countries backing Kyiv.
Britain and France will jointly lead the exercise, which was agreed at a Coalition of the Willing summit in July.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the operation showed Britain and its allies were preparing for the possibility of a future peace rather than simply drawing up plans on paper.
“This isn’t a hypothetical plan, it’s a real force, ready to help Ukraine once the fighting stops,” he said.
He added: “Ukraine’s security is our security, and we will stand with them for as long as it takes.”
British three-star general Lieutenant General Tom Bateman, commander of the MNF-U, said the exercise would demonstrate that the force was “real, capable” and able to deploy when required.
He said its aim would be to put Ukraine’s armed forces in the strongest possible position to deter any future aggression once the current fighting ends.
The countries taking part are Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the UK.
The exercise will not be confined to Poland. Turkish forces in Istanbul will also rehearse clearing sea mines as part of preparations to restore safe commercial shipping to Ukrainian ports.
The drills come as Britain and its European allies work on potential security arrangements for Ukraine in the event of a peace agreement, including how Western forces could support the country and deter another attack.