New Zealand Sends 120 Troops To UK To Train Ukrainian Troops, PM Ardern: Focus On Infantry Training

New Zealand army training illustration. (Wikimedia Commons/New Zealand Defense Force)

JAKARTA - New Zealand will send 120 military personnel to Britain to help train Ukrainian troops against a Russian invasion, the government said Monday.

Later, two infantry training teams will be sent to equip Ukrainian troops with effective combat capabilities, including weapons handling, battle first aid, operational law and other skills.

The New Zealand government said the training of 800 Kyiv troops would take place exclusively at one of four locations in the UK, with New Zealand troops not being sent to Ukraine.

"We have made clear that this blatant attack on the sovereignty of a country and the loss of innocent lives is wrong and cannot be tolerated," Prime Minister Ardern said.

He stressed that New Zealand troops have not and will not engage in fighting in Ukraine.

Previously, thirty New Zealand defense personnel completed a mission in May to train Ukrainian military personnel in operating artillery.

Launching RNZ, PM Ardern announced the planned delivery together with Defense Minister Peeni Henare, and Chief of the Defense Force Air Marshal Kevin Short.

The decision brings the total number of New Zealand troops deployed in support of Ukraine to 224, a number comparable to partner countries such as Denmark (130) and Sweden (120), PM Ardern said.

Decisions around New Zealand's contribution to Ukraine are weighed on what is needed and demanded, what other partners in the region can support and New Zealand's strengths, he explained.

Separately, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said the deployment this time would support New Zealand's strategic interests and was a demonstration of the country's independent foreign policy.

It is known, in addition to sending personnel to provide military training, the Kiwi Country has provided financial assistance of around NZ$40 million, as well as sanctions against 840 Russian individuals and entities.