The ‘Guzmán el Bueno’ Brigade X trains Ukrainian military personnel in the maintenance of the M-113 vehicle

•  At the Cerro Muriano base in Córdoba, Spanish military personnel are improving the logistical capabilities of the Ukrainian Army

Military trainers from the “Guzmán el Bueno” X Brigade are teaching their Ukrainian counterparts  the maintenance module for the M-113 armored tracked transport at the Cerro Muriano base in Córdoba.

Six work teams are participating in this activity, each led by a non-commissioned officer and supported by an interpreter. Of these, three carry out their work in the workshops of the La Reina 2 Infantry Regiment, and the other three in the X Field Artillery Group, the 5th Logistics Group X and the Córdoba 10 Armoured Regiment, respectively.

The theoretical and practical classes focus mainly on mechanical and electronic maintenance. Among these, we can highlight changing an engine transmission, changing an engine, and changing a torsion bar. Students are also taught about the different circuits, both fuel and other liquids that circulate through the vehicle, for a better understanding of sustaining and repair tasks.

During the course, the working days are demanding, always with the aim of getting the most out of the common instruction time.

EUMAM UA, support for Ukraine

The EU Military Assistance Mission in Support of Ukraine (EUMAM UA) was approved by Council Decision on 17 October 2022. Its objective is to strengthen the capacity of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to defend Ukraine's territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and to deter and respond to possible future military offensives by Russia and other potential aggressors. EUMAM works closely with all other like-minded international partners to provide training support to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Likewise, EUMAM is open to participation by third countries. All mission activities are carried out on EU soil. To date, 24 EU Member States —  among them, and notably, Spain —  have offered training modules and personnel to Ukrainian military personnel.

In Spain, training activities are led by the Toledo Training Coordination Centre (TTCC) —under the direction of the Operations Command, on whom one depends organically— and coordinates its activities with different international structures, not only within the European Union, but also within the framework of multinational agreements. Since the beginning of this European mission, Spain has expanded the range of courses, which are now taught in different units of the Spanish Armed Forces.

The TTCC consists of a headquarters in Burgos, headed by Brigadier General José Agustín Carreras Postigo, commander of the ‘Rey Alfonso XIII’ Brigade II of the Legion—which oversees the Combat Training Unit (UFC) in Toledo (a permanent unit that provides both basic training and various specific courses) and the Training Modules (TM), which are activated to provide instruction in the specialities requested. These courses are held at Army and Navy facilities in various locations throughout Spain.

The Spanish Armed Forces have extensive experience in personnel training missions from the armed forces and security forces of other countries, such as Iraq, Mali and Somalia, among others. To date, Spain has trained more than 8,300 Ukrainian military personnel in some 200 modules covering different specialities as part of this EUMAM AU mission.