How France Trains Ukrainian Soldiers? [DEFENCE24 REPORT]

Ever since the full-scale aggression has been launched against Ukraine by Russia, not only do some countries provide material military aid, or intelligence, but they also organize training at a number of field training facilities. This grants the Ukrainians a kind of “operational peace”, when it comes to the option of supporting the training processes, by the experienced, Western instructors. This also takes some burden off the shoulders of the Ukrainian soldiers. Some of the Ukrainian troops deployed to the European states have no expansive, previous military experience at all. The Russian military pressure creates a demand for more effective training that progresses more rapidly, than during the peacetime.

Furthermore, the Ukrainians also get a chance to get acquainted with NATO/western training models - for instance in the UK, instructors from outside NATO (Australia and New Zealand) are also involved in the transfer of relevant knowledge. The meaning of that is also emphasized by the fact that Ukraine has been receiving support in the training domain since the first Russian aggression in 2014 - 2015. These training processes have been among the relevant elements making it possible to implement a change in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The Western training did not begin in 2022.

It shall also be pointed out that training organized outside Ukraine is not exposed to direct threat posed by the Russian airstrikes. One should still remember that Russia unfortunately has a capability to conduct strikes within whole Ukrainian territory. The modest air defence assets at hand are insufficient to secure all military bases and training facilities. Thus, making use of facilities owned by partner nations is a major means of support, also when it comes to the possibility of conducting training without any psychological pressure imposed on the process. The host nations also help the Ukrainian soldiers, when it comes to the equipment used. Therefore, they eliminate some of the burden imposed on the Ukrainian logisticians, who operate at the very limit during the wartime. For instance, Ukrainian soldiers engaged in training on French training ranges can utilize FAMAS assault rifles. The official data released by the French Defence Ministry, Ukraine received 1,000 FAMAS rifles, 55 7.62 mm machine guns, 560 .50-cal. machine guns, and 20 sniper rifles.

Here, one should mention the fact that France is one of the leading nations when it comes to that process - French troops train their Ukrainian counterparts as a part of European initiative. Processes as such involve training facilities in France, but collaborative effort involving Poland for instance is also taking place. Thanks to the French aid, the Ukrainian soldiers can receive basic urban warfare training as well. Training facilities in France with special urban warfare spaces are the foundation of that process. The soldiers training there can get acquainted with operations in urban setting, CQB, or defensive operations. The French training ranges are also used for the purpose of training in forests, and also have had a key meaning for the conflict that unfolded since February 2022 - involving trenches.

One should stress that this trend has already been visible, not just when it comes to training support provided for the Ukrainians, but also in the training processes undertaken by the NATO member states. There is an ability there, in NATO, to learn lessons drawn from the military relationship with Ukraine. Throughout training, the West has been intercepting the Ukrainian experience, for instance in the realm of understanding the unmanned systems. Whereas, speaking to the French military experts, what really shows is their reserved (yet rational) stance, when it comes to perception of war in Ukraine as a conflict model that should be followed. Some trends need to be simply understood and appreciated. On thew other hand, they should be placed on the background of own experience and capabilities (and potential advantages over the aggressor, Russia in this case).

Furthermore, the French instructors also share specialist know-how with the Ukrainian partners, within the framework of training provided. That specialist expertise may apply to operation of various artillery systems - be it rocket or tube assets. Let us notice, that the matter of transfer of the 6x6 CAESAR 155 mm howitzers to Ukraine has become a symbolic development. Apart from that, notable French contributions include 4 LRU/M270 MLRS systems, and ten 120 mm mortars plus 6 TRF1 howitzers.

The aforesaid CAESAR howitzer has also become an example of the serious approach the French authorities adopted, when it comes to accelerated defence industry manufacturing efforts - both within the scope of aid, as well as reinforcement of domestic, and allied defence capabilities. One needs to remember that France is a strategic nation, when it comes to the newly established “artillery coalition” for Ukraine. The French authorities also openly endorse the transformation of defence manufacturing in the current circumstances, which was mentioned, above all, by President Macron. Apart from that, the Ukrainians can get acquainted with EOD operations in France (it shall be remembered that France provides a lot of EOD equipment in its military aid packages for Ukraine), or the use of JTACs.

Finally, let us note that representative of Defence24.pl was invited in April to visit one of the French training ranges (the exact location shall be kept secret, as per the host’s request). Thanks to the above, we had a chance to witness training provided to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, within the scope of two exercises - trench, and urban warfare. The author had an opportunity to observe the effort undertaken by both the Ukrainian soldiers, but also the French instructors, supported by a team of interpreters. This has been an interesting case study, as it could have been compared to the training conducted in Poland, at the Wędrzyn Combined Arms Training Command (CAT-C). We can see that in both cases, the states involved are standing up to the challenge, when it comes to logistics, infrastructure, and appreciation of the relevance missions as such have for Ukraine fighting its war.