The Government today (21 February) approved the participation of up to 30 Defence Forces’ personnel in the newly established European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine).
Speaking after the Government confirmed its approval for the Defence Forces’ participation, the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin TD, said “EUMAM Ukraine will provide vital training support to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as well as the coordination of EU Member States’ activities delivering the training. Given Ireland’s steadfast support for Ukraine and the considerable experience our Defence Forces have in providing training both at home and overseas, the Government regards the participation of the Defence Forces in this mission as an important signal of Ireland’s unwavering support for and solidarity with Ukraine.”
The primary role of the Defence Forces will be to provide training to members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) in one or more EU Member States in which the training will take place. These trainers will be supplemented by a small number of staff positions based in the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) staff based in Brussels, Belgium and in the multi-national Special Training Command (STC) in Strausberg, Germany.
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Note for Editors
Late last year, the Council of the EU launched the European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine), the aim of which is to enhance the military capability of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to allow them to defend Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty within its internationally recognised borders, as well as to protect the civilian population. The mission is already up and running, and operates on a needs-based approach, answering to Ukrainian training needs.
EUMAM Ukraine has a mandate to provide individual, collective and specialised training to up to 15,000 Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel over multiple locations in the territory of EU member states, subject to the explicit consent of each host Member State.
Ireland currently has a senior staff position in the mission’s Operational Headquarters, which will operate within the EU’s Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) staff in Brussels, as part of the EU Military Staff. Ireland will offer training teams to augment training delivered by other EU nations, and staff in Brussels and Strausberg, Germany will co-ordinate delivery of training on a multi-national basis.
It is anticipated that Defence Forces’ personnel will commence the delivery of training as soon as the training needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces are matched to the training capabilities being offered by the Defence Forces.
Equipment (both lethal and non-lethal), which is provided by Member States is funded by the European Peace Facility (EPF). Ireland’s funding contribution to the EPF is directed exclusively to non-lethal elements, consistent with the terms of the Programme for Government.
Having reached Initial Operating Capability on 28 November 2022, 24 EU Member States have offered more than 100 training modules to date.