First ‘Small Arms’ training module for Ukrainian military personnel concludes

The ‘General Almirante’ Base, located in the municipality of Marines (Valencia), has hosted the first ‘Small Arms’ training module for Ukrainian military personnel. This three-week course was delivered by the 8th ‘Lusitania’ Cavalry Regiment, part of the 6th ‘Almogávares’ Parachute Brigade.

This collaboration forms part of the European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM UA) and involved 21 Ukrainian military personnel. The main objective was to optimise their skills in the use and maintenance of individual and collective weapons.

Training phases and weapon systems

The training programme was designed in stages to ensure progressive learning. Firstly, the trainees undertook a theoretical and practical study of the various weapon systems. This phase covered everything from individual weapons to collective models.

Subsequently, the training focused on maintenance tasks. The Ukrainian military personnel acquired both first-line knowledge, focused at user level, and second-line knowledge, aimed at personnel specialising in the mechanics of these systems. The module concluded with live-fire exercises, where the skills acquired were put to the test both in dismounted operations and when integrated into various combat platforms.

Safety and effectiveness in combat

In addition to technical proficiency, the training has prioritised the safe and responsible handling of weapons during any operational situation. Likewise, the importance of seamless coordination between combatants operating collective weapon systems has been emphasised.

Thanks to this practical and safe training, Ukrainian personnel are enhancing their technical readiness and operational autonomy, directly adapting to the real and current needs of their army within the conflict.

EUMAM UA, support for Ukraine

The EU Military Assistance Mission in Support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) was approved by a Council Decision on 17 October 2022. Its aim 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.

Furthermore, EUMAM is open to the participation of third states. All mission activities take place on EU territory. To date, 24 EU Member States — notably including Spain — have provided training modules and personnel to the Ukrainian military.

In Spain, training activities are led by the Toledo Training Coordination Centre (TTCC)—under the direction of the Operations Command, to which it reports—and coordinates its activities with various international bodies, not only within the European Union but also under the framework of multinational agreements. Since the start of this European mission, Spain has expanded the range of courses, which are now delivered at various units of the Spanish Armed Forces.

The TTCC comprises a Headquarters in Burgos — headed by Brigadier General Alvaro Díaz Fernández, commander of the “Extremadura” XI — which oversees the Combat Training Unit (UFC) in Girona (a permanent unit that provides both basic training and various specific courses) and the Training Modules (TM), which are activated to deliver instruction in the specialisms requested. These courses are held at the facilities that the Ministry of Defence, the Army, the Navy and the Guardia Civil maintain in various locations throughout Spain.

The Spanish Armed Forces have extensive experience in training missions for personnel from the armed forces and security forces of other countries, such as Iraq, Mali and Somalia, amongst others. To date, Spain, within the framework of this EUMAM UA mission, has trained more than 9,100 Ukrainian military personnel.