New Zealand is sending 120 Defence Force personnel to the United Kingdom to train Ukrainian soldiers, including in weapon handling and combat first aid.
It follows the Government sending an artillery training team of 30 personnel to the UK in May to help Ukrainian military personnel learn to operate light field guns. That deployment is now completed.
Two infantry teams will be deployed to the UK to equip Ukrainian personnel with skills such as weapon handling, combat first aid, and operational law.
"We know that one of the highest priorities for Ukraine right now, is to train its soldiers, and New Zealand is proud to stand in solidarity alongside a number of other countries to answer that call," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.
The personnel will travel to the UK in tranches over the coming three weeks and remain there until November 30. They will join other nations in contributing to the UK's efforts to train 10,000 Ukrainians.
Defence Minister Peeni Henare said the deployment provided an opportunity for New Zealand Defence Force personnel to "gain valuable experience through conducting core soldier skills in a foreign environment".
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"The infantry training provided aligns well with the skills and capabilities of our personnel," he said. "The training will be conducted exclusively at one of four locations in the UK and our NZDF personnel will not enter Ukraine."
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nanaia Mahuta, said the deployment highlighted New Zealand's support for defending an international rules-based system.
"It is a demonstration of our values and our independent foreign policy," she said. "Our ongoing role contributing to the international response supports Ukraine in protecting its territorial integrity and sovereignty."
The personnel who went in May helped the soldiers learn to use the L119 105mm weapons, which are only used by a handful of countries, including New Zealand. Up to 230 Ukrainian forces were expected to benefit from the training.
Since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February, New Zealand has contributed more than $40 million in financial support to various international organisations to help with aid and provide equipment to soldiers. Aotearoa is also supporting an International Criminal Court investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine.
Intelligence and logistics experts have been deployed to Europe over the past six months to support efforts, while New Zealand has sanctioned 840 individuals and entities linked to Russia's war.
