Advanced Training for Ukrainians on U.S. Weaponry to Begin in Germany

In January 2022, Bradley armored cars make their way along a trail at Hohenfels’ Joint Multinational Readiness Center. According to military officials, the U.S. Army will start training Ukrainian soldiers at German ranges where they can fire and maneuver with Bradleys. (Alun Thomas/U.S. Army)

STUTTGART, Germany — The U.S. Army will begin training an expanded cadre of Ukrainian soldiers as early as next week at ranges in Germany, where troops will learn how to fire and maneuver with new armored fighting vehicles, military officials said this week.

The stepped-up effort means about 500 troops will cycle monthly through the Army’s training hubs in Germany, the largest of which is in the Bavarian town of Grafenwoehr.

The initial contingent of roughly 500 Ukrainian soldiers builds on other specialized training by U.S. forces since Russia’s full-scale invasion of the country in February, said Col. Martin O’Donnell, spokesman for U.S. Army Europe and Africa.

The Army in Europe had approximately 3,000 Ukrainian soldiers trained as of December.

In May 2022, Ukrainian artillerymen fired a M109 self-propelled howitzer while training in Grafenwoehr (Germany). According to military officials, the U.S. Army will start training Ukrainian soldiers next week at ranges located in Germany. They will learn how fire and maneuver with Bradley armored cars. (Spencer Rhodes/U.S. Army)

Grafenwoehr has more than 100 miles worth of secondary and tank trails. There are also dozens of mortar and artillery firing positions. Aerial gunnery and close air-support zones are also available.

Brig. The Pentagon’s top spokesperson, Gen. Pat Ryder, stated Thursday that Bradley armored cars, which were authorized to be delivered to Ukraine earlier this month by the Pentagon, would soon be operational in war.

“We’re looking at weeks, not months,” Ryder.

The arrival of Bradleys coincides closely with Germany’s promise to send Marder infantry fighting cars to Ukraine. After meeting with Volodymyr Zeleskyy, U.K. Prime Minster Rishi Sunak stated that the UK would supply Challenger 2 tanks and other artillery equipment.  Other allies, such as Poland, have also indicated that they are looking at delivering modern battle tanks to Ukraine.

Since the beginning of the war, the U.S. has provided assistance totaling $20 billion to Ukraine. Since the start of the war, the range and sophistication of weaponry provided to Ukraine has increased from simple equipment like Stinger anti-aircraft rockets to more sophisticated systems.

Ukrainian troops will soon begin training in the U.S. on the Patriot missile defense system, which is among the most complex in the Army’s inventory. This system is complex and requires a lot of training to master.

The Security Assistance Group-Ukraine (SAU) will supervise the USAREUR-AF activities in Germany. This group was created in Wiesbaden, November, to coordinate support for Ukraine.