Three of the five active training modules for Ukrainian military personnel on Spanish soil have finished

• More than 90 military personnel have completed these training courses as part of the European Union’s Military Assistance Operation in support of Ukraine

More than 90 Ukrainian military personnel have successfully completed three training modules in Spain, as part of the European Union’s Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM UA): the 12th module, ‘M-113 Maintenance’, delivered by the 6th ‘Saboya’ Infantry Regiment, the 1st ‘M-119 Instructor Training’ module delivered by the Legion’s Field Artillery Group, and the 28th ‘Military Decision-Making Process’ module delivered by the General Albacete y Fuster Marine Infantry School. Two further training modules are currently underway.

‘M-113 Maintenance’ module

At the end of August, this training module, delivered by members of the 6th ‘Saboya’ Infantry Regiment, began at the General Menacho Base in Bótoa (Badajoz). Over a period of more than three weeks, more than 50 Ukrainian military personnel received specific training in the maintenance of M-113 combat vehicles.

The training programme focused on diagnosing and rectifying first- and second-level mechanical faults that these vehicles experience in combat. In addition, dynamic tests were carried out on the various systems of this platform at the training ground to demonstrate best operational practices aimed at reducing wear and tear on equipment and preventing future technical problems.

‘M-119 Instructor Training’ module

The ‘Álvarez de Sotomayor’ Base in Almería has hosted the first ‘M-119’ training module, delivered over three weeks by the Legion’s Field Artillery Group to optimise the operation and maintenance of the 105 mm howitzer by Ukrainian military personnel. Furthermore, the programme combines a progressive sequence of theoretical and practical sessions focusing on safety measures, assembly and the resolution of real-life incidents, facilitating a valuable two-way exchange in which instructors pass on their technical expertise and Ukrainian military personnel share lessons learnt directly from combat.

‘Military Decision-Making Process’ (MDMP) module

The ‘General Albacete y Fuster’ Marine Corps School has completed the 28th MDMP module, bringing the total number of Ukrainian military personnel trained at this centre since the start of the operation to over 480. Furthermore, the programme, designed by the Amphibious Warfare Department, has been structured around a theoretical phase to master the planning method and a practical phase focused on offensive and defensive exercises at battalion level. This structure enables Ukrainian personnel to significantly enhance their decision-making skills, facilitate tactical execution and improve the direct advice they provide to Command at the operational level.

EUMAM UA, support for Ukraine

The EU Military Assistance Mission in Support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) was authorised by a Council Decision on 17 October 2022. Its aim is to strengthen the capacity of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to defend their territorial integrity within their 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. To date, 24 EU Member States — notably including Spain — have offered training modules and personnel to Ukrainian military personnel.

In Spain, training activities are managed by the Toledo Training Coordination Centre (TTCC) — under the direction of the Operations Command, to which it reports organisationally — and its activities are coordinated 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 on offer, which are now delivered at various units of the Spanish Armed Forces. To date, Spain has trained more than 9,500 Ukrainian military personnel as part of the EUMAM UA mission.