Coalition of the Willing begins major military exercises in Poland with 2,800 troops
The first joint military exercises of the Coalition of the Willing supporting Ukraine began in Poland on 9 November. About 2,800 personnel from 11 countries are taking part in Koalicja 2026, which is designed to test multinational cooperation, troop deployment, logistics and preparations for possible support to Ukraine after the war.
Key points
- About 2,800 military personnel from 11 countries are participating.
- The Koalicja 2026 exercises are running in Poland through 22 November.
- France and the United Kingdom are leading the exercises; Poland is the main organizer.
- France is providing about 1,000 soldiers, observation drones and counter-drone systems.
- The United Kingdom is deploying about 300 personnel and several destroyers.
- Germany is providing around 10 staff officers, refuelling aircraft and logistical support.
- The exercises include modelling troop deployments and the transport of food, fuel and other resources.
Why it matters
The exercises test whether countries can coordinate and move troops toward Ukraine while preparing for a multinational role after the war. They also explore how such forces could help rebuild Ukrainian military capabilities, secure the country and deter future aggression, marking a further stage in developing the coalition's institutional machinery.
What happened
The first joint military exercises of the Coalition of the Willing supporting Ukraine opened in Poland on 9 November and run under the name Koalicja 2026 through 22 November. About 2,800 military personnel from 11 countries are participating, with Polish troops among them. France and the United Kingdom lead the exercises, while Poland acts as the main organizer.
The training covers troop deployment, logistics, force protection, interaction among participating countries, and the transport of food, fuel and other resources. It also assesses the readiness of the contingent to deploy troops to Ukraine and practice measures intended to support the country during military preparations and after the war ends.
France is contributing about 1,000 soldiers, short-range observation drones and counter-drone systems. The United Kingdom is deploying about 300 personnel and several destroyers, while Germany is providing around 10 staff officers, refuelling aircraft and logistical support. Belgium, Estonia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Sweden are also participating.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian coverage presents the exercises as both practical support for Ukraine and preparation for an international force that could assist the country after the war. The reporting emphasizes Ukrainian security, restoring and strengthening the armed forces, and establishing a sustainable peace for Ukraine and Europe.
Background
The Coalition of the Willing was founded in early 2025 to support Ukraine. The decision to form multinational forces was made at a summit concerning Ukraine in Berlin in December. The coalition reportedly includes about 35 states, while the Koalicja 2026 exercises are being led by France and the United Kingdom with Poland as the principal organizer.