Training initiatives in support of Ukraine

Swedish donations of materiel ordinarily include training of Ukrainian personnel on the donated systems. This training takes place either in Sweden or a country other than Ukraine. The scope of the training varies depending on the sophistication of the materiel. It may involve operator training on weapon and sensor systems or training of technicians. In addition to training on donated materiel, Sweden takes part in several multilateral training initiatives that are carried out to benefit Ukraine.

The Swedish Armed Forces has a framework mandate to carry out and take part in military training of Ukrainian citizens in 2026. These activities include training on materiel that Sweden has donated to Ukraine and contributions to multilateral training initiatives.

This framework mandate will improve the Swedish Armed Forces’ ability to both plan their activities for the year and respond to urgent training needs in Ukraine when they arise.

This decision also means that the Swedish Armed Forces will be able to provide training both bilaterally and multilaterally in Sweden or another EU or NATO member. The decision also covers Ukrainian military units’ access to Swedish territory.

The contents of the training package have been compiled based on previous experience and assessments of new training requirements that may arise.

The training activities for the benefit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine takes place in several areas: materiel training, training within the framework of the European Union Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM) and Operation Interflex, Operation Interchange and Task Force Legio, and mine clearance training in Lithuania.

Materiel training

The majority of the qualified equipment donated from the Swedish war organisation requires some form of training for Ukrainian operators, technicians and officers. Training must also take place repeatedly, as Ukrainian personnel are replaced and units reorganised.

This training is coordinated with transports of donated materiel. The scope of the training depends on the level of qualification required for the relevant systems. In general, training is carried out in three parts. The first part involves training of technical personnel to enable them to maintain materiel both close to the front line and in maintenance workshops located in the rear. The second part concerns the training of operators in handling the equipment. The third part involves training of leaders on certain larger systems, such as combat vehicles, battle tanks and combat vessels, with the aim of teaching leaders at various levels how to optimally utilise the new resources.

EUMAM Ukraine

Since early 2023, Sweden has participated in the European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine). It is a means of providing basic and specialised training for Ukrainian soldiers on the territory of EU Member States. The strategic objective is to strengthen the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s military capability so that Ukraine can defend its territorial integrity and effectively exercise its sovereignty.

Sweden has contributed to health and medical training and infantry battalion training at the Special Training Command in Germany, one of the initiative’s two headquarters. Within the framework of EUMAM Ukraine, Sweden also provides training on donated military materiel.

EUMAM Ukraine is led by the EU’s Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) in Brussels. Sweden has also provided the MPCC with reserve staff since late 2022.

Operation Interflex

Since 2022, Sweden has contributed to the British-led Operation Interflex, which carries out basic military training of Ukrainian citizens. Swedish instructors are recruited from throughout the Swedish Armed Forces, including the Home Guard.

Mine clearance training in Lithuania

The Government decided on 22 December 2022 that Sweden would collaborate with the other Nordic countries to train Ukrainian ammunition and mine clearance soldiers. The Swedish instructors were detailed from the Swedish EOD and Demining Centre (SWEDEC), which is Sweden’s centre of expertise for national and international tasks in ammunition and mine clearance.

Mine clearance is critical to the mobility of Ukrainian combat units. Advanced mine clearance capability also helps civil society during the prevailing war and will be of crucial importance during Ukraine’s reconstruction.

Starting in March 2023, the training has taken place in Lithuania within the framework of the Nordic Defence Cooperation. Lithuania supports the initiative by granting access to training grounds and logistics. Instructors from Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway participate in the training, which will be held on four occasions in 2026.

Task Force Legio

Sweden provides instructors for Task Force Legio, a Nordic-Baltic form of cooperation aimed at equipping and training brigade-size combat units. The initiative focuses on strengthening Ukraine’s operational capability in the land domain.