News item | 20-02-2025 | 07:54
The European Training Mission Eumam (EU Military Assistance Mission) is one of the pillars of the EU support on Ukraine. Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans was in Germany yesterday. He visited various locations where training is given. That will continue for the time being, because the training mission has recently been extended until mid -November 2026.
So far, EU member states have trained more than 70,000 Ukrainian soldiers. With this, Eumam directly contributes to a better defense of Ukraine against Russian aggression.
Minister Brekelmans: “The training courses given by our soldiers make a direct difference for the Ukrainians on the combat field. I am very impressed by our tireless Dutch soldiers and the courageous Ukrainians. Last week there were all kinds of geopolitical developments. The Eumam training sessions remain relevant anyway, to be able to continue to defend Ukraine and to deter Russia. “
It Special Training Command (ST-C) In Strausberg, all Eumam activities controls on German territory. Reason for Brekelmans to be discussed by, among others, the Dutch deputy commander Brigadiereraal Maurice Timmermans. The minister also spoke at one of the German practice locations with the Dutch tank instructors. They train Ukrainian crews in effective action with the Leopard 1A5 fighting tank.
Military EU mission
Eumam has been around since the end of 2022. The military mission is intended to improve the military skills of the Ukrainian armed forces. All training courses take place in EU territory.
Eumam includes basic, advanced and specialist training courses. These are partly in the field of medical assistance and CBRN (chemical, organic, radiological, nuclear), demining, logistics, communication and maintenance. Leadership, collective, operational and staff training courses are also housed with Eumam.
Dutch contribution
From the start of Eumam, the Netherlands supplies a maximum of 10 soldiers for the headquarters in Brussels, the German Strausberg and Zagan in Poland.
In addition, last year contributed to nearly 100 training modules, spread over 40 training sessions in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, the United Kingdom and Romania.
The Dutch contributions consisted of staff and leadership training, among other things. In addition, it was about training battalion and brigade staves in commanding, strategy and tactics and medical training. The activities in the Netherlands were mainly related to deliveries of military goods and systems.