24 instructors from Ukraine’s 184th Training Centre are participating in the first Latvian – led course which started on March 14th as part of Military leadership training in the framework of the Joint Multinational Training Group – Ukraine (JMTG-U).
Latvian soldiers will provide four two-week training courses to Ukrainian regular forces instructors in 2016.
At the end of March, Latvian soldiers will start training members of Ukraine's Special operations battalion.
Latvian Chief of Defense Lieutenant General Raimonds Graube, who recently visited Ukraine to assess Latvian assistance to Ukraine's Armed forces, said:
“Latvia has to show solidarity and share experience we have acquired after joining NATO and participating in various multinational operations, also including training foreign soldiers.”
“This is also a unique chance for our soldiers to interact with Ukrainian soldiers who have obtained invaluable experience in combat operations in the Eastern part of Ukraine," Graube said.
Latvia's senior military officer added that the invitation to take part in training Ukrainian troops means allies had recognised the professionalism of Latvian soldiers.
Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine is the name given to the training, equipping, training center development and doctrinal assistance to the Ukrainian armed forces.
At the request of the Ukrainian government, the training group will train five battalions of Infantry soldiers and one battalion of Special operations forces. The training will be complete in November 2016.
The training is focused at partnering at the battalion-level and below, building a professional and capable Ukrainian units to defend Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The training will take place in the International Peacekeeping and Security Center in Yavoriv, about 15 km from the border with Poland. Special operations forces will train in Hmelnick.
Latvia has granted Ukraine financial support through the NATO Trust Fund, supported Ukraine by giving medical and rehabilitation services to Ukrainian soldiers, and paid for the studies of one officer from Ukraine at the Baltic Defense College (BALTDEFCOL). Latvia's National Armed Forces have provided English lessons as well as training for military psychologists and chaplains.
