British troops will take part in a multinational military exercise in Poland next month, rehearsing how European allies could support Ukraine following a future ceasefire, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has confirmed.
The exercise is expected to bring together personnel from Britain, France, Germany and Poland. It is intended to test the practical arrangements for moving forces and supplies and for supporting Ukraine's military training and post-war recovery.
Defence Secretary confirms November exercise
Speaking during a visit to Washington, Mr Streeting said thousands of personnel would participate in a major exercise in Poland in November, as members of the Coalition of the Willing prepare for a potential future role supporting Ukraine.
According to reporting by the Press Association, at least 1,500 personnel from Britain, France and Germany are expected to participate, alongside Polish forces. That figure is a combined multinational estimate, not a British troop commitment. The broader exercise may involve additional personnel.
The drills are expected to examine the logistics of a possible future mission, including the movement of troops, food and fuel. No deployment of British forces into Ukraine has been announced as part of this exercise.
Plans agreed earlier this year
The Polish government announced in July that the Coalition of the Willing would conduct its first military exercises in Poland during the autumn, involving British and French forces. Poland said the manoeuvres would strengthen the ability of participating countries to act together in support of regional and Ukrainian security.
Later that month, the UK Ministry of Defence announced that Lieutenant General Tom Bateman had taken command of the multinational force being planned for a possible post-hostilities deployment to Ukraine. The department said preparations included exercises to rehearse how such a force might be deployed.
A January declaration of intent between the United Kingdom, France and Ukraine set out a framework for a possible multinational force intended to support Ukrainian defence and reconstruction after a ceasefire. The declaration describes intended cooperation; it does not mean that the proposed mission has already begun.
What happens next?
The November exercise is a preparation measure, not a decision to send troops into Ukraine. Any future mission would depend on developments in the conflict, the participating governments' decisions and the arrangements agreed with Ukraine.
Although several participating countries are NATO members, the planned Coalition of the Willing activity should not be presented as a separately authorised NATO deployment into Ukraine.
The confirmation comes amid continuing diplomatic discussions over European support for Kyiv and the security arrangements that might follow an eventual ceasefire. Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, and fighting continues.
Sources
- Polish Prime Minister’s Office — coalition exercises announcement, 14 July 2026
- UK Ministry of Defence — British command of multinational Ukraine force, 24 July 2026
- UK–France–Ukraine declaration of intent, 7 January 2026
- Press Association report via LBC, 17 October 2026
- Polish Foreign Ministry — bilateral discussion of upcoming exercises, October 2026