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Britain and France are jointly leading Exercise Koalicja, a rehearsal for the Multinational Force Ukraine that will run from November 9 to 22 in southeastern Poland near the town of Nowa Deba, according to a joint statement released by the UK government. Nearly 2,800 personnel will participate across land, air and maritime components with the goal of testing how to move, protect and supply troops that could deploy once hostilities end. The UK government said the drill marks the first major exercise for the force established in 2025 as part of the Coalition of the Willing. Officials from both countries described the activity as a concrete demonstration of readiness rather than a hypothetical plan.
The exercise will involve troops from Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the UK, a UK government press release issued on November 3 stated. France is providing the largest contingent of around 1,100 soldiers while the UK is contributing 300 personnel from the British Army’s 7th Light Mechanised Brigade Combat Team known as the Desert Rats along with RAF Typhoon fighters and a Voyager refuelling aircraft. Turkey will separately lead a maritime simulation from Istanbul focused on mine clearance in the Black Sea to enable resumption of commercial shipping. Only light equipment and drones will be used during the drill according to French officials involved in planning.
Exercise Koalicja will focus on command and control integration among the multinational units, logistical movements of personnel and supplies, and defensive measures including counter-drone operations, the joint UK-French announcement reported. RAF aircraft will practise scenarios for reassuring commercial flights once Ukrainian airspace reopens while ground forces rehearse supply routes and force protection. A French general co-leading the exercise with a British lieutenant general called it a key milestone showing the force can deploy rapidly when conditions allow. The activity takes place roughly 100 kilometres from the Ukrainian border.
The Multinational Force Ukraine is not a NATO operation and features limited US involvement, multiple outlets including Euronews reported following the announcement. It is also not designed as a traditional peacekeeping or ceasefire monitoring mission nor for offensive operations, according to statements from force commanders. Instead the force aims to support Ukraine in rebuilding its armed forces so they can better deter future aggression, the UK government said. The Coalition of the Willing that backs the initiative includes around 35 countries that have coordinated on security guarantees for Ukraine since last year.
UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said in the government statement that the exercise shows Britain together with France and allies is stepping up to prepare for the day when there is peace in Ukraine. “This isn’t a hypothetical plan, it’s a real force, ready to help Ukraine once the fighting stops,” Streeting stated. French General Armel Dirou who is co-leading the drill added that it serves as a demonstration of the MNF-U’s ability to be deployed as soon as hostilities have ended. Lieutenant General Tom Bateman the British commander emphasised the focus on providing reassurance to Ukraine.
The drill builds on planning agreed at a summit in Paris in July and follows earlier reports in October about preparations for such exercises in Poland, as covered by outlets including The Times and Ukrainska Pravda. It comes as European allies seek to signal commitment to Ukraine’s long-term security independent of broader NATO structures. Participating nations have stressed that any actual deployment would require a ceasefire, an invitation from the Ukrainian government and political decisions at the highest levels. The maritime element under Turkish leadership aims to address threats to Black Sea trade routes that have been disrupted throughout the conflict.
Earlier coverage from The Independent noted that some experts question whether the mission will ultimately proceed given the uncertainties around any peace process. The force’s operational headquarters is already based in Paris according to reports from Euronews and Kyiv Post. British and French officials have described the rehearsal as sending a message of European resolve while focusing on practical integration challenges that could arise in a post-hostilities environment. No heavy armour or weaponry will feature in the current exercise which prioritises coordination and logistics over combat simulation.
