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NZ soldiers keen to share skills with Ukrainian troops

Karla Karaitiana

The weapons soldiers are sharpening their skills on are powerful, but it is technical expertise rather than force Kiwi troops will be providing their Ukrainian counterparts.

A New Zealand Defence Force training exercise in Linton yesterday was the last before 16th Field Regiment troops depart for the United Kingdom to train Ukrainian soldiers.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Monday soldiers would be stationed in the UK until the end of July.

Minister of Defence Peeni Henare said he was glad New Zealand could contribute its expertise and experience to the training, and that the 30 soldiers would not be entering Ukraine.

‘‘The Government is acting on a call for help with training, which will enable members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to operate L119 light field guns as they continue to defend their country against attacks by Russian forces,’’ he said. ‘‘We are also providing approximately 40 gun sights to Ukraine, along with a small quantity of ammunition for training purposes.’’

L119 are primarily used in defensive operations. A trained crew from Ukraine would become qualified to use the gun in roughly a week.

Royal NZ Artillery 16th Field Regiment Commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Dean Gerling said the 30 soldiers bound for the UK possessed a broad range of skills from gunner rank up to major. ‘‘It’s important to remember we are deploying skills, not capability. We are sending people to train, in support of the UK, in those base level skills.’’

Five personnel left on Wednesday and a further 18 were preparing for departure in the following days. Gerling said there was lots of excitement across the unit with many looking forward to putting into practice what they had spent their career training for. ‘‘When we started looking at this there were a number of hands that went up around the regiment wanting to deploy.’’

National News

en-nz

2022-05-27T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-05-27T07:00:00.0000000Z

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