Defence · Ukraine & Russia · 6 November 2026
UK and France to lead multinational exercise in Poland
The UK and France will jointly lead a multinational military exercise in Poland to rehearse securing peace in Ukraine, the Ministry of Defence has announced. The drill, known as Exercise Koalicja, runs from 9 November to 22 November. The Multinational Force Ukraine would only enter the country after fighting has ceased.
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that the UK and France will jointly lead a major multinational military exercise in Poland. The drill, designated Exercise Koalicja, is designed to rehearse the process of securing peace in Ukraine. The Multinational Force Ukraine (MNF-U) is the focus of this coordination effort.
Figures published with the announcement show that 2,800 troops from 11 nations are taking part. Among them are 300 UK personnel, including soldiers from the British Army’s 7 Brigade and RAF aircraft. RAF Typhoons and a Voyager refuelling aircraft will simulate reassuring commercial air travel. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting MP said: "This isn't a hypothetical plan, it's a real force, ready to help Ukraine once the fighting stops."
The force is commanded by British Lieutenant General Tom Bateman. Its headquarters is set to move from Paris to London this year. The announcement clarifies that the MNF-U would only enter Ukraine after fighting has ceased and at the request of the Ukrainian government.
The exercise is explicitly a rehearsal and simulation. It does not involve an immediate deployment into Ukraine. The plans rely on the cessation of hostilities before any force enters the country.
Written by StreetOwl from Ministry of Defence’s own announcement. It was drafted by StreetOwl’s own model, every figure and quotation was checked by code against the announcement, and it was read and approved by Michael Rossi before it went up. It says what was announced, not what anyone should do about it.
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