Spain has trained 10% the military personnel trained in Europe under the Military Support to Ukraine mission

•  During 2025, the number of more technical and specific courses has increased, adapted to Ukrainian Armed Forces' needs and the conflict's evolution

The European Union Military Support to Ukraine Mission (EUMAM UA) has trained more than 8,500 military personnel in the more than three years since its inception in October 2022. Spain has trained 10% of the total number of Ukrainian military personnel trained in Europe as part of this mission on its national territory.

Among the main developments in 2025, training courses in hyperbaric medicine, maritime security operations, tactical planning for special operations, safe handling of ammunition and use of the Black Hornet UAV were delivered for the first time.

As Brigadier General Francisco Javier Calero Perea, current head of the Toledo Training Coordination Centre (TTCC), points out, "2025 has been a year of adaptation for EUMAM UA, as we always want to be in line with the requirements conveyed by Ukraine and its military, which are conditioned by the evolution of the conflict. In fact, all training provided in Spain is always planned in close coordination with the country in question. This adaptation has resulted in a gradual decrease in basic training courses since the middle of the year, while the number of more specific and technical courses has increased."

In this regard, the new factors influencing the conflict, in combination with the higher level of training of Ukrainian military personnel, have led to the need for more specialised training, ranging from knowledge of specific platforms and their maintenance to the promotion and development of leadership skills. In addition, the train-the-trainers programmes have been reinforced, with the aim of equipping them with the necessary skills, so that Ukraine itself can provide training to its personnel.

A Ukrainian military personnel participating in one of the courses noted that ‘the organisation is excellent, both in the theoretical modules and in the practical sessions, which were carefully structured and conducted with great expertise. It has been a good opportunity to exchange experiences and knowledge about their operational use’.

In terms of the future of the operation, General Calero Perea believes that 2026 will see a continuation of the current approach, with the main focus on specific and technical training, but without forgetting that basic training for Ukrainian personnel will once again take shape and become a priority. ‘We will be prepared, with an open mind, to deal flexibly and effectively with any changes that may arise, and thus provide the necessary solution to the needs that continue to emerge.’

EUMAM UA, support to Ukraine.

Spain remains fully committed to the European Union Military Support to Ukraine Mission (EUMAM UA). In our country, training activities are led by the Toledo Training Coordination Centre (TTCC), under the direction of the Operations Command, to which it reports. Coordination takes place with various international structures, within the European Union and under the framework of multinational agreements.

Since the beginning of this European mission, Spain has expanded this training programme, which is now delivered at facilities and units belonging to the Ministry of Defence, the Army, the Navy and the Guardia Civil in various locations throughout Spain.

The Spanish Armed Forces have extensive experience in training missions for military units and security forces in other countries, such as Iraq, Mali and Somalia, among others.