Hundreds of British troops are preparing for a major international exercise.
The UK and France will jointly lead Exercise Koalicja, the first major exercise run by the Multinational Force Ukraine (MNF-U), taking place in Poland from November 9 to November 22.
It will test the deployment, protection, and resupply of a force designed to help rebuild Ukraine’s military once fighting ends.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said: "This exercise shows the UK is stepping up, alongside France and our allies, to prepare for the day peace comes to Ukraine.
"This isn’t a hypothetical plan, it’s a real force, ready to help Ukraine once the fighting stops."
The MNF-U is the military arm of the Coalition of the Willing, a group of nations committed to supporting Ukraine through strengthened military, economic, and diplomatic means.
The UK and France jointly lead the MNF-U, with its headquarters set to move from Paris to London this year.
It would only deploy into Ukraine after hostilities end and at the request of the Ukrainian government.
The force would not take on peacekeeping or ceasefire monitoring duties.
Lieutenant General Tom Bateman, commander of the Multinational Force Ukraine, said: "This exercise will show that the Multinational Force-Ukraine is a real, capable, readily deployable force that represents a serious commitment from Coalition of the Willing nations to Ukraine’s long-term stability and security."
Around 300 UK personnel will join a total of 2,800 troops from 11 nations, including Belgium, Estonia, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and Türkiye.
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The UK’s 7 Brigade, known as the Desert Rats, will rehearse key logistical operations.
RAF Typhoons and a Voyager refuelling aircraft will carry out sorties to simulate the reopening of Ukrainian airspace for commercial flights.
The exercise will also test command and control systems, integration of multinational forces, and movement of personnel, equipment, and supplies.
Turkish forces will stand up the MNF-U’s maritime element in Istanbul, testing arrangements for maritime mine clearance to allow commercial shipping to safely return to Ukraine’s ports.
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