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Canadian military C-130 Hercules seen landing at Lydd Airport in Romney Marsh

14:55, 08 September 2022

updated: 15:40, 08 September 2022

A Canadian military transport aeroplane has been seen touching down at Lydd Airport.

The C-130 Hercules tactical airlift aircraft - which the Canadian military uses for missions including troop transport, tactical airlift and aircrew training - was filmed coming in to land at the Marsh airfield yesterday.

It comes as a detachment of troops from the North American nation's armed forces have been deployed to the south east of England to assist with the training of new recruits to the Ukrainian army.

Newly-enlisted soldiers who have joined up to fight the Russian invasion are being given instruction in skills required for frontline combat, including weapons handling, battlefield first aid, fieldcraft and patrol tactics.

It is understood a detachment of Canadian troops have been posted to the Shorncliffe army garrison on the outskirts of Folkestone.

For operational reasons, both the British Army and their Candian counterparts declined to confirm the location of the base where the training of the Ukrainian volunteers is taking place.

A spokesman for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) said: "Canada has deployed a group of about 166 CAF members to the United Kingdom, with the option to deploy up to 225 members for this task.

A Canadian military plane at Lydd Airport. Picture: Lydd Airport
A Canadian military plane at Lydd Airport. Picture: Lydd Airport
A Canadian military plane coming in to land at Lydd Airport. Picture: Daniel Knapp
A Canadian military plane coming in to land at Lydd Airport. Picture: Daniel Knapp

"The members are mostly drawn from 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (3 PPCLI) based out of Edmonton, Alberta.

"CAF personnel are expected to assist with the training of approximately 10,000 soldiers."

Canada is one among other allied nations contributing to this British-led initiative, with the Netherlands also committing to sending military trainers.

UK Secretary of Defence Ben Wallace MP said: "I am delighted that the Canadian Armed Forces will be joining the growing international effort to support the training of Ukrainian soldiers in the UK.

"Canada's expertise will provide a further boost to the programme and ensure that the Ukrainian men and women, coming to the UK to train to defend their country, will get a wide pool of experience and skills from both UK forces and our international partners."

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