British military police have forged ties and shared war expertise with Ukrainian and Norwegian counterparts.
Lieutenant Sam Davies (Left) 150 Provost Company Royal Military Police delivers a brief on the equipment used within the Royal Military Police to the Ukrainian Military Police Major and Major Francis Hunt (Right) Norwegian Military Police.
Ukrainian Major from the Western Military District Military Police holds an SA80 A2 rifle during his visit to the capability stand held at Beach Head Lines, Catterick.
Training aid table showing the current situation of events happening live during Exercise Redcap Typhon, a simulated training exercise which soldiers from 150 Provost Company Royal Military Police are training on.
Lieutenant Colonel Michael Boyd (Centre) Commanding Officer 150 Provost Company Royal Military Police delivers a closing speech after the visit from the Ukrainian and Norwegian Military police Majors.
Lieutenant Gurden (Centre) Operations Platoon Commander 150 Provost Company Royal Military Police delivering a brief to the Ukrainian and Norwegian Military Police officers during their visit to Beach Head Lines, Catterick.
Ukrainian translator speaks to the Ukrainian Major from the Western Military District Military Police during his visit to Beach Head Lines Police Station, Catterick.
Major Francis Hunt (Left) from the Norwegian Regimental Military Police is greeted by Lieutenant Colonel Michael Boyd (Right) from 150 Provost Company, Royal Military Police ahead of a multinational visit to Beach Head Lines Police Station, Catterick.
The three nations met at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire as part of NATO’s Warfare Development initiative, which helps allied forces learn from each other and improve their operational capabilities.
The British team, 150 Provost Company from 1st Battalion Royal Military Police (1 Pro Coy, 1RMP), hosted allies who have deployed together on Operation Interflex, Britain's initiative to train and support Ukrainian military forces
Our Ukrainian colleague said it best - ‘The lessons we’ve learned have been learned in blood’ - and the best way for us to not go through their experience is to listen and take note so more blood isn’t shed
Sharing battlefield policing experience
The three nations’ military police teams shared battlefield police capabilities and experiences, including vital lessons from the conflict in Ukraine.
Major Joshua Stribbing, Officer Commanding, 150 Pro Coy, said: “We shared experiences, as well as trying to demonstrate the capabilities that 1RMP have built up over several decades.
“We shared experiences with a partner developing their own capability and having to do this at pace and contact, so they have a variety of lessons that we can learn.
“We gave them the benefit of our experience, and they gave us the benefit of modern conventional war fighting in a manner that we have not engaged in for several years.”
The visit included operational briefings where 150 Pro Coy explained the five functions of military police, discussed recent exercises, and showcased the equipment they use.
The visitors then engaged in Exercise Redcap Typhon, using advanced Defence Virtual Simulation software to practise realistic scenarios. Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Boyd, presented the visitors with a regimental shield from 1RMP as a symbol of their partnership.
Lessons learned in blood
Major Stribbing said: “Our Ukrainian colleague said it best - ‘The lessons we’ve learned have been learned in blood’ - and the best way for us to not go through their experience is to listen and take note so more blood isn’t shed.
“Personally, I’ve not had the challenge of taking a company into a conventional war fight and had to deal with the substantial challenges that come along with this.
“We can test them on simulation but there’s nothing like reality to really test you.
“Seeing an individual who’s had to make those difficult decisions every day for several years at a similar level to me is inspirational. “
The Norwegian Military Police shared their experiences of operating in extreme weather conditions and invited 1RMP to train with them in Norway.
The Ukrainian Military Police observed British training methods and asked questions about rapid deployment readiness.
The visitors also had the opportunity to talk to the junior ranks about their experiences in the British Army.
Supporting national security
This military cooperation forms a key part of the UK's Plan for Change, supporting the strong foundations of national security that allow Britain to maintain strategic direction in challenging times.
Cross-national expertise sharing enhances NATO's collective defence capabilities by spreading best practices in battlefield policing, security operations, and intelligence gathering techniques proven effective under combat conditions.
The UK Government remains committed to international defence cooperation as a cornerstone of its security strategy, with military police playing an essential role in maintaining order and effectiveness in operational environments.
