The Netherlands Concludes Participation in Interflex Training Program for Ukrainian Troops

The Netherlands has ended its participation in Operation Interflex, the UK-led multinational training mission for Ukrainian military personnel.

The Dutch Ministry of Defense reported on this.

According to the Ministry, the withdrawal is linked to the program’s transition to a new phase focused on specialized military training.

The Netherlands’ final contribution to the basic training courses was provided by personnel from the 13th Light Brigade.

Operation Interflex will continue under UK leadership, shifting its focus from large-scale basic military training to specialized training courses tailored to the current needs of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

The Netherlands said it will continue supporting the training of Ukrainian troops through other initiatives, including the European Union Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM Ukraine).

Operation Interflex

June 2026 marks four years since the launch of Operation Interflex. Since the program began, more than 63,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been trained with support from 13 partner nations, including around 11,000 instructors who delivered the training.

Ukraine has now developed the capability to conduct basic military training for its troops independently.

As a result, Operation Interflex is shifting its focus to specialized training. The new training model will include helicopter pilot instructor courses, recently completed by the first group of Ukrainian trainees, as well as medical, engineering, and other specialist programs.

“Ukraine’s training needs have changed since 2022, and it is important that the UK-led training mission evolves accordingly. We are entering a new phase focused on developing long-term specialist skills, helping to ensure that Ukraine’s Armed Forces are better prepared to meet future challenges independently and effectively,” UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.

Meanwhile, Colonel Andrew Boardman, the commander of Operation Interflex, noted that the program has been repeatedly adapted since 2022, and that the current changes are a logical continuation of this flexibility.

At the end of May, the Netherlands transferred a batch of 60 pickup trucks to Ukraine, intended for the Unmanned Systems Forces. They can perform a wide range of tasks – from transporting personnel and equipment to serving as mobile platforms for specialized gear.