Page 56 - Chronicle Vol 17

GENERAL
This year we have supported Estonian
defence, proved our mettle on exercise
with French allies, and most impor-
tantly experienced a gratifying opera-
tional déjà vu as we once again trained
Ukrainians on UK soil. During two
stints since the summer of 2022, the bat-
talion has now trained 7200 Ukrainian
soldiers, more than any other British
Army unit. Internally, we have bade
farewell to our large fighting vehicle fleet and begun a major institutional change which will see the battalion halve in size.
In 2024 the battalion will change profoundly. From next year, we will move from 12 Brigade to 11 Brigade and change roles to become a Security Force Assistance (SFA) battalion. In this new concept for the British Army we will become a profes- sional partnering force, and our focus will shift from Europe to the Middle East. We have already begun to reduce in size, a process which will take us from nearly 700 to just over 300 troops. We will shortly undertake a large exercise in Kenya to prepare us for this new role.
OPERATIONS AND TRAINING
OPERATION INTERFLEX: UK.
The battalion returned to Operation INTERFLEX in June this year, this time train- ing Ukrainian Border Guards in Warcop (Cumbria), as well as Ukrainian Army
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(Top) Sjt Hayes Instructing Ukrainian Troops (Above) Ukrainian trainees being taught close quarter combat drills