British and French forces will lead a major multinational military exercise in Poland this November, testing the readiness of 11 nations to support Ukraine’s security and rebuild its armed
forces once the war with Russia comes to an end.
The United Kingdom is preparing for a potential end to Russia’s war against Ukraine by leading a large-scale military exercise designed to establish the conditions for lasting peace and long-term European security.
Around 2,800 military personnel from 11 countries will participate in Exercise Koalicja, which will take place in Poland from 9 to 22 November. The UK and France will jointly command the operation, marking the first major exercise conducted by the Multinational Force Ukraine (MNF-U), the military component of the Coalition of the Willing.
The exercise will focus on how allied forces could be deployed, protected and supplied to help restore Ukraine’s military capabilities and strengthen its ability to deter future Russian aggression.
The initiative comes as Russia’s full-scale invasion, launched in February 2022, continues to reshape Europe’s security environment. The conflict has caused extensive destruction across Ukraine, displaced millions of people and placed sustained pressure on European defence capabilities.
While diplomatic efforts and discussions about a possible end to the war continue, European governments are increasingly focusing on the security arrangements that would be required to prevent another Russian attack.
British troops, RAF aircraft to demonstrate operational readiness
The UK will contribute approximately 300 military personnel to Exercise Koalicja, alongside Royal Air Force aircraft and other military assets.
Soldiers from the British Army’s 7 Brigade, known as the Desert Rats, will practise essential logistical operations, including the movement of personnel, military equipment and supplies across a multinational deployment.
The RAF will contribute Typhoon fighter jets and a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft. Their participation will allow allied forces to rehearse air operations and assess how military aircraft could help support the reopening of Ukrainian airspace to commercial aviation once conditions permit.
The exercise will also examine how different military components can coordinate their activities, maintain effective command structures and operate together in a complex multinational environment.
British Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the exercise demonstrated the UK’s determination to prepare for a future in which Ukraine could be supported by a coordinated international security force.
“This isn’t a hypothetical plan, it’s a real force, ready to help Ukraine once the fighting stops,” Streeting said, stressing that Ukraine’s security was directly linked to the safety of the UK and the wider European continent.
He added that Britain would continue working with France and other allies to ensure that preparations for peace were backed by credible military capabilities.
Multinational force would support Ukraine after the fighting ends
The Multinational Force Ukraine is intended to provide a framework for international military support following the cessation of hostilities.
Its potential responsibilities would include helping Ukraine regenerate its armed forces, contributing to the security of Ukrainian airspace and maritime routes, and strengthening the country’s capacity to resist future military threats.
The force would only enter Ukraine after the fighting had ceased and following a formal request from the Ukrainian government.
Its mandate would not include conventional peacekeeping operations or monitoring a ceasefire. Instead, the force would focus on supporting Ukraine’s long-term defence and helping establish the conditions for a sustainable security settlement.
The MNF-U is commanded by British Lieutenant General Tom Bateman, with the UK and France serving as its joint leaders. Its headquarters are expected to relocate from Paris to London later this year.
Bateman said Exercise Koalicja would demonstrate that the force was developing into a credible and deployable military formation capable of supporting Ukraine’s future security.
He emphasised that the multinational initiative was intended to ensure that Ukraine’s armed forces would be in the strongest possible position to deter renewed aggression once the conflict ends.
Eleven countries to test military coordination
The exercise will bring together forces from Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Türkiye and the United Kingdom.
The participating nations will test command-and-control arrangements, practise the deployment of troops and equipment, and assess the ability of their military units to operate as a unified force.
The maritime component will be coordinated by Turkish forces in Istanbul. This phase will focus on preparations for maritime mine clearance, an important requirement for restoring safe commercial shipping to Ukrainian ports.
The issue of maritime security remains particularly significant for Ukraine, whose access to the Black Sea is vital for agricultural exports, international trade and the wider recovery of its economy.
The reopening of safe shipping routes would also be an important element of Ukraine’s postwar reconstruction, helping restore commercial activity and strengthen economic links with international markets.
UK reinforces commitment to European defence
The British government has repeatedly stated that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine undermined European security and challenged the principle that international borders must not be changed through military force.
London maintains that a stable and secure Ukraine is essential not only for the country itself but also for the security of the UK, Europe and the wider international order.
Britain continues to provide military assistance and training to Ukrainian forces while working with its allies to maintain economic and diplomatic pressure on Moscow.
The government has also highlighted the continuing threat posed by Russian missile and drone attacks against Ukrainian cities, infrastructure and civilian targets.
The UK says it does not seek confrontation with Russia or hostility towards the Russian people. However, it maintains that the country must remain prepared to defend itself and its allies against potential threats.
The preparations for Exercise Koalicja form part of a wider British effort to strengthen national defence and increase military readiness.
The government has announced a major sustained increase in defence spending, with expenditure set to reach 2.7% of GDP in 2027-28. Nearly £300 billion is expected to be allocated to defence over a four-year period.
As European governments prepare for the possibility of a negotiated end to the war, Exercise Koalicja will provide an opportunity to assess whether the multinational force can translate political commitments into practical military capabilities.
The exercise is intended to demonstrate that preparations for Ukraine’s postwar security are already underway, with the UK and France taking a leading role in coordinating the international effort. Photo: Paul Crouch/MOD, Wikimedia commons.
