Ukraine able to train servicemen to operate 30 foreign weapons systems – General Taran

The Armed Forces of Ukraine currently have the opportunity to train specialists domestically to operate 30 foreign models of weapons and military equipment.

The head of the Main Doctrine and Training Department (J7) of the Ukrainian Army’s General Staff, Major General Oleksiy Taran, stated this in an interview with ArmyInform, Ukrinform reports.

"We are working on the expansion of training courses regarding foreign samples of weaponry and military equipment in our territory as well. This work is being done through simultaneous training for Ukrainian instructors who will train specialists in the territory of Ukraine. We already have the opportunity to train specialists in our territory for more than 30 models," he said.

According to the official, the Armed Forces will continue this work throughout the year.

The general said that the duration of training courses varies depending on the complexity of weapons systems.

"As an example, an M777 artillery crew is trained within a week, on the condition that the trainee is a former gunner. An Abrams tank crew requires almost two months to complete training," said the official.

Answering the question of whether there are differences in the expertise of recruits trained abroad and in Ukraine, Taran noted that the courses are uniform in both cases.

"This does not only apply to training for modern foreign models of weapons systems and military equipment. Therefore, the main difference is that our specialists can master more than 130 specialties in the use, operation and repair of foreign models only in the educational and training facilities of partner countries," he said.

As reported, the General Staff of the Armed Forces said the UK remains the leader among partner countries in the training of the Ukrainian military.

Photo: General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces