British Army 4887 224588515 2008-07-09T15:24:49Z 87.113.26.82 /* Today's Army */ {{Refimprove|date=October 2007}} {{British Army}} [[Image:Sadler, Battle of Waterloo.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Battle of Waterloo]], one of the greatest victories in British military history]] The '''British Army''' is the [[Army|land armed forces]] branch of the [[British Armed Forces]]. It came into being with unification of the Kingdoms of [[Kingdom of England|England]] and [[Kingdom of Scotland|Scotland]] into the [[Kingdom of Great Britain]] in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England and Scotland and was administered by the [[War Office]] from [[London]]. Since 1963, it has been managed by the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]]. As of April 2007, the British Army includes roughly 101,310 regular personnel and 38,460 [[Territorial Army]] members. The full-time element of the British Army has also been referred to as the ''Regular Army'' since the creation of the reservist ''Territorial Army'' in 1908. The British Army is deployed in many of the world's war zones as part of both [[Expeditionary warfare|Expeditionary Force]]s and in [[United Nations]] [[Peacekeeping]] forces. The British Army is currently deployed in [[Kosovo Force#Contributing Nations|Kosovo]], [[British Forces Cyprus|Cyprus]], [[British Forces Germany|Germany]], [[Multinational Force in Iraq#More than 100 000 soldiers (currently)|Iraq]], [[ISAF#Nato nations|Afghanistan]] and many other places. In contrast to the [[Royal Navy]], [[Royal Marines]] and [[Royal Air Force]], the British Army does not include "Royal" in its title, however many of its constituent Regiments and Corps are styled Royal.<ref>[http://www.regiments.org/about/faq/royalsvc.htm FAQ: Oldest Regiment in the British Army<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The professional head of the British Army is the [[Chief of the General Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the General Staff]], currently Sir [[Richard Dannatt]]. ==History== {{main|History of the British Army}} The British Army came into being with the merger of the [[Scottish Army]] and the English Army, following the unification of the two countries' parliaments and the creation of the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain]] in 1707. The new British Army incorporated existing English and Scottish regiments, and was controlled from London. From roughly 1763 the United Kingdom has been one of the leading military and economic powers of the world. The [[British Empire]] expanded in this time to include [[colony|colonies]], [[protectorate]]s, and [[Dominion]]s throughout the [[Americas]], [[Africa]], [[Asia]] and [[Australasia]]. Although the [[Royal Navy]] is widely regarded as having been vital for the rise of Empire, and British dominance of the world, the British Army played important roles in colonisation. Typical tasks for the Army included [[garrison]]ing the colonies, capturing strategically important territories and participating in actions to pacify colonial borders, provide support to allied governments, suppress Britain's rivals, and protect against foreign powers and hostile natives. British troops also helped capture strategically important territories for the British, allowing the British Empire to expand throughout the globe. The Army also involved itself in numerous wars meant to pacify the borders, or to prop-up friendly governments, and thereby keep other, competitive, empires away from the British Empire's borders. Among these actions were the [[Seven Years' War]], the [[American War of Independence]], the [[Napoleonic Wars]], the [[First Opium War|First]] and [[Second Opium War]]s, the [[Boxer Rebellion]], the [[New Zealand Wars]], the [[Indian Mutiny]], the [[First Boer War|First]] and [[Second Boer War]]s, the [[Fenian raids]], the [[Anglo-Irish War]], its serial interventions into [[Afghanistan]] (which were meant to maintain a friendly buffer state between British India and the [[Russian Empire]]), and the [[Crimean War]] (to keep the Russian Empire at a safe distance by coming to Turkey's aid). [[Image:Benjamin West 005.jpg|thumb|left|The Death of [[General Wolfe]] during the [[Battle of Quebec (1759)|Battle of Quebec]].]] As had its predecessor, the English Army, the British Army fought [[Spain]], [[France]], and the [[Netherlands]] for supremacy in North America and the [[West Indies]]. With native and provincial assistance, the Army conquered [[New France]] in the [[Seven Years' War]] and subsequently suppressed a [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native American]] uprising in [[Pontiac's War]]. The British Army suffered defeat in the [[American War of Independence]], losing the [[Thirteen Colonies]] but holding on to Canada. The British army was heavily involved in the [[Napoleonic Wars]] in which the army served in Spain, across Europe, and in North Africa. The war between the British and French Empires stretched around the world. The British Army finally came to defeat Napoleon at one of Britain's greatest military victories at the battle of [[Battle of Waterloo|Waterloo]]. [[Image:The Defence of Rorke's Drift2.jpg|right|300px|thumb|An artist's interpretation of [[Rorke's Drift|The Battle of Rorke's Drift]] in which 11 VCs were awarded to British troops. The battle is remarkable in that a hundred well-armed British soldiers managed to defend the small, walled compound of a farmstead and hold a few thousand native warriors and their spears long enough for them to give up and leave them alone.]] Under [[Oliver Cromwell]], the English Army had been active in the conquest, and the settlement, of Ireland since the 1650s. The Cromwellian campaign was characterised by its uncompromising treatment of the Irish towns (most notably [[Drogheda]]) that had supported the Royalists during the English Civil War. It (and subsequently, the British Army) have been almost continuously involved in Ireland ever since, primarily in suppressing numerous Irish revolts and campaigns for self-determination. It was faced with the prospect of battling Anglo-Irish and Ulster Scots settlers in Ireland, who alongside their Irish countrymen had raised their own volunteer army and threatened to emulate the American colonists if their conditions (primarily concerning home rule and freedom of trade) were not met. The British Army found itself fighting Irish rebels, both Protestant and Catholic, primarily in Ulster and Leinster ([[Theobald Wolfe Tone|Wolfe Tone's]] [[United Irishmen]]) in the [[Irish Rebellion of 1798|1798 rebellion]]. In addition to battling the armies of other European Empires' (and of its former colonies, the United States, in the [[American War of 1812]],) in the battle for global supremacy, the British Army fought the Chinese in the [[First Opium War|First]] and [[Second Opium War]]s, and the [[Boxer Rebellion]]; [[Māori]] tribes in the first of the [[New Zealand Wars]]; [[India]]n princely forces and [[British East India Company]] mutineers in the [[Indian Mutiny]]; the Boers in the [[First Boer War|First]] and [[Second Boer War]]s; Irish [[Fenians]] in Canada during the [[Fenian raids]]; and [[Irish Republican Army|Irish separatists]] in the [[Anglo-Irish War]]. Following William and Mary's accession to the throne, England involved itself in the [[War of the Grand Alliance]] primarily to prevent a French invasion restoring Mary's father, [[James II of England|James II]]. Following the 1707 union of England and Scotland, and then the 1801 creation of the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland]], British foreign policy, on the continent, was to contain expansion by its competitor powers such as [[France]] and [[Spain]]. The territorial ambitions of the French led to the [[War of the Spanish Succession]] and the [[Napoleonic Wars]]. Russian activity led to the [[Crimean War]]. The vastly increasing demands of imperial expansion, and the inadequacies and inefficiencies of the underfunded, post-Napoleonic Wars British Army, and of the [[Militia (United Kingdom)|Militia]], [[Yeomanry]], and [[Volunteer Force (Great Britain)|Volunteer Force]], led to the [[Cardwell Reforms|Cardwell]] and [[Childers Reforms]] of the late 19th century, which gave the British Army its modern shape, and redefined its [[regimental system]]. The [[Territorial and Reserve Forces Act 1907|Haldane Reforms]] of 1907, formally created the [[Territorial Force]] as the Army's volunteer reserve component. [[Image:British Mark I male tank Somme 25 September 1916.jpg|right|250px|thumb|British [[Mark I tank|Mark One Tank]] during [[World War I]]. Note the guidance wheels behind the main body which were later scrapped as they were unnecessary. Armoured vehicles of this time still required much infantry and artillery support and still do to a lesser extent even in today's military.]] Great Britain's dominance of the world had been challenged by numerous other powers, notably the [[German Empire]]. The UK was allied with France (by the [[Entente Cordiale]]) and Russia, and when the [[First World War]] broke out in 1914, the British Army sent the [[British Expeditionary Force]] to France and Belgium to prevent Germany from occupying these countries. The War would be the most devastating in British military history, with near 800,000 men killed and over 2&nbsp;million wounded. In the early part of the war, the professional force of the BEF was decimated and, by turns, a volunteer (and then conscripted) force replaced it. Major battles included the [[Battle of the Somme]]. Advances in technology saw advent of the [[tank]], with the creation of the [[Royal Tank Regiment]], and advances in [[aircraft]] design, with the creation of the [[Royal Flying Corps]], which were to be decisive in future battles. [[Trench warfare]] dominated strategy on the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]], and the use of chemical and poison gases added to the devastation. In 1939, the [[Second World War]] broke out with the German invasion of [[Poland]]. British assurances to the Polish led the British Empire to declare war on Germany. Again an [[British Expeditionary Force|Expeditionary Force]] was sent to France, only to be hastily evacuated as the German forces swept through the Low Countries and across France in 1940. Only the [[Battle of Dunkirk|Dunkirk evacuations]] saved the entire Expeditionary Force from capture. Later, however, the British would have success defeating the Italians and Germans at the [[First Battle of El Alamein|Battle of El Alamein]] in [[North Africa]], and in the [[Battle of Normandy|D-Day invasions of Normandy]] with the help of American, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand forces. In the Far East, the British Army battled the [[Japan]]ese in [[Burma]]. World War II saw the British army develop its [[British Commandos|Commando]] units including the [[Parachute Regiment (United Kingdom)|Parachute Regiment]] and [[Special Air Service]]. During the war the British army was one of the major fighting forces on the side of the allies. <!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:Britisolders.jpg|thumb|250px|right|British Soldiers raise the [[Union Flag]] after retaking the [[Falkland Islands]]]] --> After the end of World War II, the British Army was significantly reduced in size, although [[National Service]] continued until 1960. This period also saw the process of [[Decolonisation]] commence with the end of the [[British Raj]], and the independence of other colonies in Africa and Asia. Accordingly the strength of the British military was further reduced, in recognition of Britain's reduced role in world affairs, outlined in the [[1957 Defence White Paper]], although major conflicts had been recently fought in form of the [[Korean War]] in 1950 and [[Suez Crisis]] in 1956. A large deployment of [[British Army of the Rhine|British troops]] also remained in Germany, facing the threat of [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] invasion. The [[Cold War]] saw significant technological advances in warfare, and the Army saw more technologically advanced weapons systems come into service. Despite the decline of the [[British Empire]], the Army was still deployed around the world, fighting colonial wars in [[Aden Emergency|Aden]], [[EOKA|Cyprus]], [[Mau Mau Uprising|Kenya]] and [[Malayan Emergency|Malaya]]. In 1982 the British Army, alongside the [[Royal Marines]], helped to recapture the [[Falkland Islands]] during the [[Falklands War]] against [[Argentina]]. In the three decades following 1969, the Army was heavily deployed in [[Northern Ireland]], to support the [[Royal Ulster Constabulary]] (later the [[Police Service of Northern Ireland]]) in their conflict with loyalist and republican paramilitary groups, called [[Operation Banner]]. The locally-recruited [[Ulster Defence Regiment]] was formed, later becoming the [[The Royal Irish Regiment (27th (Inniskilling) 83rd and 87th and Ulster Defence Regiment)|Royal Irish Regiment]] in 1992. Over 700 soldiers were killed during the [[Troubles]]. Following the [[Provisional Irish Republican Army|IRA]] ceasefires between 1994 and 1996 and since 1997, demilitarisation has taken place as part of the peace process, much reducing the military presence in the area. On June 25th 2007, the Second Battalion Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment vacated the Army complex at Bessbrook Mill in Armagh. This is part of the 'normalisation' programme in Northern Ireland in response to the IRA's declared end to its activities. ==Recent and current conflicts== ===Persian Gulf War=== {{main|Operation Granby}} The ending of the [[Cold War]] saw a 40% cut in manpower, as outlined in the [[Options for Change]] review. Despite this, the Army has been deployed in an increasingly global role. In 1991, the United Kingdom was the second largest contributor to the coalition force that fought [[Iraq]] in the [[Gulf War]]. The nation supplied just under 50,000 personnel and was the nation put in control of [[Kuwait]] after it was liberated. ===Balkans conflicts=== {{main|Yugoslav wars}} The British Army was deployed to [[Yugoslavia]] in 1992. Initially this force formed part of the [[United Nations Protection Force]]. In 1995 command was transferred to [[IFOR]] and then to [[SFOR]]. Currently troops are under the command of [[EUFOR]]. Over 10,000 troops were sent. In 1999 British forces under the command of [[SFOR]] were sent to [[Kosovo]] during the conflict there. Command was subsequently transferred to [[Kosovo Force|KFOR]]. ===Afghanistan=== {{main|War in Afghanistan (2001–present)}} In 2001 The [[British 3rd Infantry Division|3rd Division Signal Regiment]] were deployed in [[Kabul]], [[Afghanistan]] to assist in the liberation of the troubled capital. The Royal Marines' [[3 Commando Brigade]] also swept the [[Afghanistan|Afghan]] mountains but this force is part of the [[Royal Navy]]. The British Armed forces are currently in charge of NATO forces in the nation. The British Army is today concentrating on fighting [[Taliban]] forces and bringing security to Helmand province under NATO control. ===Iraq War=== {{main|Iraq War}} In 2003, the United Kingdom was a major contributor to the United States-led [[2003 invasion of Iraq|invasion of Iraq]]. There was some disagreement amongst the populace but the House of Commons voted for the conflict, sending over 45,000 army personnel to the region. The British Army maintains a presence in the city of [[Basra]] and the southern regions of [[Iraq]]. The British Army is not currently at war, but this is a conflict against groups acting within Iraq. The British Army's main duty in Iraq is peace-keeping. The British military admitted, on [[March 27]] [[2008]], that it breached the human rights of an Iraqi man, named Baha Mousa, who died in custody, and that its soldiers also violated the rights of eight other detained Iraqis.<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/03/27/uk.iraq.ap/index.html Iraqi UK military admits Iraqis tortured], [[CNN]], 27 March 2008</ref> ===Northern Ireland=== {{main|Operation Banner}} The British Army was initially deployed in [[Northern Ireland]] in the wake of Catholic rioting in [[Derry]]<ref>[[Kenneth Bloomfield|Bloomfield, K]] Stormont in Crisis (Belfast 1994) p 114</ref> and [[Belfast]]<ref>[[Public Record office of Northern Ireland|PRONI]]: Cabinet conclusions file CAB/4/1460</ref> and to prevent Protestant Loyalist attacks on Catholic communities, under [[Operation Banner]] between 1969 and 2007 in support of the [[Royal Ulster Constabulary]] (RUC) and its successor, the [[Police Service of Northern Ireland]] (PSNI).<ref name="hist">{{cite book | last = McKernan | first = Michael | authorlink = | title = Northern Ireland in 1897-2004 Yearbook 2005 | publisher = Stationery Office | date = 2005 | pages = p. 17 | doi = | isbn = 978-0954628420 }}</ref> There has been a steady reduction in the number of troops deployed in [[Northern Ireland]] since the [[Good Friday Agreement]] was signed in 1998. In 2005, after the [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]] announced an end to armed conflict in Northern Ireland, it was revealed that the British Army would dismantle posts in the province and withdraw many troops and restore troop levels to that of a peace time garrison. The operation ended at midnight on [[31 July]] [[2007]], making it the longest continuous deployment in the British Army's history, lasting some thirty-eight years.<ref name=analysis>{{cite web|url=http://www.patfinucanecentre.org/misc/opbanner.pdf|title=Operation Banner: An analysis of military operations in Northern Ireland|publisher=[[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]]|date=2006|accessdate=2008-03-21}}</ref> An internal British Army document released in 2007 stated an expert opinion that the British Army had failed to defeat the IRA but had made it impossible for them to win through the use of violence Operation Helvetic replaced Operation Banner in 2007 maintaining fewer servicemen in a much more benign environment..<ref name=analysis/><ref name=BBC>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6276416.stm|title=Army paper says IRA not defeated|publisher=BBC News|date=2007-07-06|accessdate=2008-03-21}}</ref> == Tommy Atkins and other nicknames == A long established nickname for a British soldier has been '[[Tommy Atkins]]' or 'Tommy' for short. The origins are obscure but most probably derive from a specimen army form circulated by the Adjutant-General Sir Harry Calvert to all units in 1815 where the blanks had been filled in with the particulars of a Private Thomas Atkins, No 6 Company, 23rd Regiment of Foot. Present day English soldiers are often referred to as 'Toms' or just 'Tom' (The Scots equivalent being 'Jock', the Welsh equivalent 'Taffy'). Outside the services soldiers are generally known as 'Squaddies' by the [[Tabloid#As a sensational, gossip-filled newspaper|British popular press]]. The British Army magazine ''Soldier'' has a regular cartoon strip, 'Tom', featuring the everyday life of a British soldier. Junior officers in the army are generally known as 'Ruperts' by the [[Other ranks]]. This nickname is believed to be derived from the children's comic book character [[Rupert Bear]] who epitomises traditional public school values.<ref>See "Inside the British Army" by [[Antony Beevor]] ISBN 071134658</ref> The term 'Pongo', as in where the army goes the pong goes, or 'Perce' is often used by Sailors and Royal Marines to refer to soldiers. It is not considered complimentary. ==Today's Army== ===Statistics=== [[Image:Challenger II.jpg|right|300px|thumb|The [[Challenger 2]], the British Army's [[Main Battle Tank]].]] {| class="wikitable" | bgcolor="#ff2222 align="center" colspan="2" | '''British Army statistics'''<ref>[http://www.armedforces.co.uk/army/listings/l0002.html Armed forces.co.uk]</ref> |- | Personnel (Regular Army) | 107,730 |- | Personnel ([[Territorial Army]]) | 38,460 |- | [[Main Battle Tank]]s | 386 [[Challenger 2]] |- | [[Infantry fighting vehicle]]s | 789 [[Warrior Tracked Armoured Vehicle|Warrior]] |- |[[Armoured Personnel Carrier|APCs]] and [[CVR(T)]]s | 3,230–4,000+ |- | [[Land Rover Wolf]] | 15,000 |- | [[Pinzgauer High Mobility All-Terrain Vehicle|Pinzgauer]] | 2,000 |- | [[Bedford Vehicles|Utility Trucks]] | 2,300 |- |[[Artillery]] pieces and [[Mortar (weapon)|mortar]] | 2,896 |- |Air Defence |337 |- |[[British Army Air Corps|Aircraft]] | 300+ |} ===Current deployments=== ===='High Intensity' Operations==== {| class="wikitable" |- !Country!!Dates!!Deployment!!Details |- ! [[Afghanistan]] | 2001– ||7800troops rising in 2009 to 8030|| British troops have been based in Afghanistan since the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|US-led invasion]] there in 2001. Currently, under [[Operation Herrick]], the Army maintains troops in Camp Souter, [[Kabul]] and a brigade on 6 monthly rotation in the southern province of [[Helmand Province|Helmand]] mostly based on Camp Bastion and forward operating bases.In mid 2008,the resident brigade is 16 Air Assault Brigade to be relieved later in the year by 3 Commando Brigade.Both brigades have previously done tours in Afghanistan.In June 2008 ,the British government announced adjustments to force levels raising the total force to 8030 in 2009,up from 7800. |- ! [[Iraq]] | 2003– ||4000 troops|| As part of [[Operation Telic]] (Gulf War 2), the British Army participated in the invasion of Iraq. Following the decision for continued security operations, the UK commands the Multi-National Division (South-East) with a headquarters unit, National Support Element and a combat brigade rotated every 6 months (in mid 2008 ,7 Armoured Brigade), along with troops from Italy, Norway, Romania, Denmark, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Portugal and Lithuania. A large number of [[Territorial Army]] soldiers have been deployed for a variety of tasks, both as individuals serving and as formed units. Troop numbers are gradually decreasing, though the UK Government does not have a timetable for a full withdrawal. |- ![[Kosovo]] | 2008- ||600 troops|| As part of the [[EU]]'s peacekeeping force in Kosovo called [[EULEX]], the UK sent a battle-group based on [[The Rifles|2 Rifles]], a light infantry battalion of about 600 soldiers, to help maintain public order.This battalion has since returned to the UK.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/apr/25/military.kosovo "New mission for British troops in Kosovo"] ''guardian.co.uk'' [[25 April]] Link Added 05 May 2008</ref> |} ===='Low-Intensity' Operations==== {| class="wikitable" |- !Country!!Dates!!Deployment!!Details |- ! [[Cyprus]] | 1960– || Two resident infantry battalions, [[Royal Engineers]], [[16 Flight Army Air Corps]] and Joint Service Signals Unit at [[Ayios Nikolaos]] as a part of [[British Forces Cyprus]]||The UK retains two [[Sovereign Base Areas]] in Cyprus after the island's independence. The bases serve as forward bases for deployments in the Middle East. British forces are also deployed separately with [[United Nations|UN]] peacekeeping forces on the island.Principal facilities are Alexander Barracks at Dhekelia and Salamanca Barracks at Episkopi. |- ! [[Falkland Islands]] | 1982– || An infantry company group and an Engineers Squadron || Previously a platoon-sized [[Royal Marines]] Naval Party served as garrison. After 1982 the garrison was enlarged, and bolstered with an RAF base at RAF Mount Pleasant on East Falkland. |- ! [[Gibraltar]] | 1704– || One infantry battalion, Joint Provost and Security Unit as a part of [[British Forces Gibraltar]] || British Army garrison is provided by an indigenous regiment, the [[Royal Gibraltar Regiment]], which has been on the Army regular establishment since the last British regiment left in 1991. |- ! Rest of the [[Middle East]] | 1990 || 3,700 troops ||Since the [[Gulf War]] in 1991, the UK has had a considerable military presence in the Middle East. Besides Iraq, there are also an additional 3,500 troops in [[Saudi Arabia]] and Camp Beuhring,[[Kuwait]], as well as regular training missions in [[Oman]]. |- ! [[Sierra Leone]] | 1999 || About 1000 troops || The British Army were deployed to Sierra Leone, a former British colony on Operation Palliser in 1999 to aid the government in quelling violent uprisings by militiamen, under [[United Nations]] resolutions. Troops ( [[Royal Marines]] ) remain in the region to provide military support and training to the Sierra Leone government. |} ====Permanent overseas postings==== {| class="wikitable" |- !Country!!Dates!!Deployment!!Details |- ! [[Belize]] | 1981– || British Army Training and Support Unit Belize and [[25 Flight Army Air Corps]] ||British troops have been based in [[Belize]] since the country gained independence from the UK in 1981. Until 1994 Belize's neighbour, [[Guatemala]] claimed the territory, and British troops were based in Belize to provide a deterrent force |- ! [[Brunei]] | 1962– || One battalion from the [[Royal Gurkha Rifles]], British Garrison, Training Team Brunei (TTB) and [[7 Flight Army Air Corps]] ||A Gurkha battalion has been maintained in Brunei since the [[Brunei Revolt]] in 1962 at the request of [[List of Sultans of Brunei|Sultan]] [[Omar Ali Saifuddin III]]. The Training Team Brunei (TTB) is the Army's jungle warfare school, while the small number of garrison troops support the battalion. 7 Flight Army Air Corps provides helicopter support to both the Gurkha battalion and the TTB. |- ! [[Canada]] | 1972– || [[British Army Training Unit Suffield]] and [[29 (BATUS) Flight Army Air Corps]]|| A training centre in the [[Alberta]] prairie which is provided for the use of British Army forces under agreement with the government of Canada. British forces conduct regular, major armoured training exercises here every year, with helicopter support provided by 29 (BATUS) Flight AAC. |- ! [[Germany]] | 1945– || 1st (UK) Armoured Division as part of [[British Forces Germany]] and [[12 Flight Army Air Corps]]||British forces remained in Germany after the end of [[World War II]]. Forces declined considerably after the end of the [[Cold War]], although the lack of accommodation in the UK means forces will continue to be based in Germany. |- ! [[Kenya]] | || British Army Training Unit Kenya|| The Army has a training centre in Kenya, under agreement with the Kenyan government. It provides training facilities for three infantry battalions per year |} ==Equipment== {{main|Modern equipment of the British Army}} [[Image:SA-80 rifle 1996.jpg|thumb|300px|[[SA80|SA-80 rifle]]]] [[Image:Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle.jpg|right|thumb|300px|[[Warrior IFV]]]] [[Image:Land Rover Defender 110 patrol vehicles.jpg|right|thumb|300px|The [[Land Rover Wolf]], the backbone of the British Army.]] The basic infantry weapons of the British Army are the [[SA80|SA-80]] assault rifle family, with several variants such as the [[LSW#LSW|L86A2]] Designated Marksmans Rifle and the short stock variant, issued to tank crews. The general issue sidearm is the [[Browning L9A1]], though a search is currently underway to find a replacement. Support fire is provided by the [[FN Minimi]] light machine gun and the [[L7 (machine gun)|L7 GPMG]]; indirect fire by [[British 51 mm Mortar|51]] and [[L16 81mm Mortar|81 mm Mortar]], as well as the [[L17A2 UGL|UGL]], mounted under the barrel of the SA80 rifle. Sniper rifles used include the [[L96A1]]&nbsp;7.62 mm, the [[L115A1]] and the [[AW50F]], all produced by [[Accuracy International]]. In addition, some units use the [[M82 Barrett rifle|L82A1]]&nbsp;.50 calibre Barrett sniper rifle. The British Army commonly uses the [[Land Rover Wolf]] and [[Land Rover Defender]]; with the [[Challenger 2]] as its Main Battle Tank. The [[Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle]] is the primary APC, although many variants of the [[Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked)]] are used, as well as the [[Saxon APC]] and [[FV430 series]] now being re-engined and uparmoured and returned to front line service as [[Bulldog]]. The Army uses three main artillery systems; the [[MLRS]], which debuted in [[Operation Granby]] and has a range of 30&nbsp;km: the [[AS-90]], a self-propelled howitzer, and the [[L118]], a 105&nbsp;mm towed gun-howitzer, used primarily by lighter units and in support of the [[Royal Marines]] The [[Rapier missile|Rapier FSC Missile System]] is the Army's primary battlefield air defence system, widely deployed since the [[Falklands War]]; and the [[Starstreak missile|Starstreak HVM]] is a surface-to-air missile, launched either by a single soldier or from a vehicle-mounted launcher. The Starstreak fills a similar role to the American [[FIM-92 Stinger]] The [[British Army Air Corps|Army Air Corps]] (AAC) provide direct aviation support for the Army, although the RAF also assist in this role. The primary attack helicopter is the [[Westland WAH-64 Apache]]; a license-built, modified version of the [[AH-64 Apache]] that will replace the Westland Lynx AH7 in the anti-tank role. The Westland Lynx performs several roles including tactical transport, armed escort, reconnaissance and evacuation. It used to also offer the anti-tank warfare roll; it could carry eight [[TOW]] anti-tank missiles. The Tow missile system fit, for the Lynx was withdrawn from service by the MOD in December 2005, after the coming in to service of the WAH-64 Apache. The [[Bell 212]] is used as a specialist utility and transport helicopter, with a crew of two and a transport capacity of twelve troops. The [[Westland Gazelle]] helicopter is a light helicopter, primarily used for battlefield scouting and control of artillery and aircraft. The Agusta A109 is used for Special Operations Aviation, along with the Gazelle. The [[Britten-Norman Islander]] is a light aircraft used for airborne reconnaissance and command, primarily in Northern Ireland. {| style="width:75%" align="center" |- | {| style="width:180px; height:200px; border:1px solid grey; text-align:center" |- ! style="background:#999966; height:20px; color:white" | Firearms |- | [[SA80#L85A2|L85A2 5.56 mm IW]] |- | [[M2 Browning machine gun|L1A1 12.7mm Browning HMG]] |- | [[SA80#LSW|L86A2 5.56 mm DMR]] |- | [[FN Minimi|L110A1 5.56 mm LMG]] |- | [[Browning L9A1|L9A1 Browning]] |- | [[L7 (machine gun)|L7A2 7.62 mm GPMG]] |- | [[Accuracy International Arctic Warfare#PM (Precision Marksman)|L96A1 7.62 mm]] |- | [[Accuracy International AWM|L115A1 8.6 mm LRR]] |} | {| style="width:180px; height:200px; border:1px solid grey; text-align:center" |- ! style="background:#999966; height:20px; color:white" | Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFV) |- | [[Challenger 2|FV4043 Challenger 2 MBT]] |- | [[Warrior Tracked Armoured Vehicle|Warrior IFV]] |- | [[FV107 Scimitar]] |- | [[Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked)|CVR(T)]] |- | [[FV432|FV432 APC]] |} | {| style="width:180px; height:200px; border:1px solid grey; text-align:center" |- ! style="background:#999966; height:20px; color:white" | Light Combat Vehicles |- | [[MWMIK|Supacat Jackal MWMIK]] |- | [[Land Rover Wolf|Land Rover Wolf WMIK]] |- | [[Iveco LMV|Panther CLV]] |} | | {| style="width:180px; height:190px; border:1px solid grey; text-align:center" |- ! style="background:#999966; height:20px; color:white" | Artillery Systems |- | [[AS90|AS-90 155 mm Self-Propelled Gun]] |- | [[M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System|MLRS]] |- | [[L118 Light Gun]] |- | [[Rapier missile|Rapier FSC Missile System]] |- | [[Starstreak|Starstreak HVM]] |- | [[FH-70|L121 Field Howitzer]] |- | [[Cobra Artillery Location Radar]] |} |- | {| style="width:180px; height:200px; border:1px solid grey; text-align:center" |- ! style="background:#999966; height:20px; color:white" | Aircraft |- | [[Westland WAH-64 Apache|Apache AH.Mk.1]] |- | [[Westland Gazelle|Gazelle AH.Mk.1]](Being phased out) |- | [[Westland Lynx|Lynx AH.Mk.7]] |- | [[Bell 212]] |- | [[Britten-Norman Islander]] |- | [[Agusta A109]] |} | {| style="width:180px; height:200px; border:1px solid grey; text-align:center" |- ! style="background:#999966; height:20px; color:white" | Logistics Vehicles |- | [[Demountable Rack Offload and Pickup System|DROPS]] |- | [[Land Rover]] (TUL/TUM) |- | [[Cougar (vehicle)| Ridgeback MPV(Cougar H)]] |- | [[Cougar (vehicle)| Mastiff PPV(Cougar EH)]] |- | [[MAN AG]] SX/HX series truck |- | [[All Terrain Mobility Platform|Supacat ATMP]] |} | {| style="width:180px; height:200px; border:1px solid grey; text-align:center" |- ! style="background:#999966; height:20px; color:white" | Information & Communication systems (ICS) |- | [[MSTAR]] |- | [[Bowman (communications system)|Bowman]] |- | [[Skynet 5]] |- | |- |} |} ==Formation and structure== {{British Army Arms}} '' See main article: [[Structure of the British Army]]'' The structure of the British Army is complex, due to the different origins of its various constituent parts. It is broadly split into the Regular Army (full-time soldiers and units) and the [[Territorial Army]] (part-time soldiers and units). In terms of its military structure it has two parallel organisations, one Administrative and one Operational. ===Administrative=== *[[division (military)|Divisions]] administrating all military units, both Regular and TA, within a geographical area (e.g. 5 Div based in [[Shrewsbury]]). **[[Brigade]] in a non fighting capacity (e.g. 43 (Wessex) [[Brigade]] based in [[Bulford]]). ===Operational=== The three major commands are [[Land Command]], Headquarters [[Adjutant-General to the Forces|Adjutant General]], and Headquarters Northern Ireland. [[Corps]] made up of two or more Divisions (now unlikely to be deployed as a purely national formation due to the size of the British Army) e.g. the [[Allied Rapid Reaction Corps|ARRC]]. *[[Division (military)|Division]] made up of two or three Brigades with an HQ element and support troops. Commanded by a [[Major-general]]. **[[Brigade]] made up of three Battalions an HQ element and associated support troops. Commanded by a [[Brigadier]]. ***[[Battalion]] of about 700 soldiers, made up of five companies commanded by a [[Lieutenant Colonel]]. or: *[[battlegroup (army)|Battlegroup]]. This is a mixed formation of armour, infantry, artillery, engineers and support units, and its structure is task specific. It is formed around the core of either an Armoured Regiment or Infantry Battalion, and has other units added or removed from it as necessary. A Battlegroup will typically consist of between 600 and 700 soldiers under the command of a Lieutenant Colonel. **[[Company (military unit)|Company]] of about 100 soldiers, typically in three platoons, commanded by a [[Major]]. ***[[Platoon]] of about 30 soldiers, commanded by a [[Second Lieutenant]] or [[Lieutenant]]. ****[[Section (military unit)|Section]] of about 8 to 10 soldiers, commanded by a [[Corporal]]. A number of elements of the British Army use alternative terms for Battalion, Company and Platoon. These include the [[Royal Armoured Corps]], [[Corps of Royal Engineers]], [[Royal Logistics Corps]], and the [[Royal Corps of Signals]] who use Regiment(Battalion), [[Squadron]](Company) and [[Troop]](Platoon). The [[Royal Artillery]] are unique in using the term Regiment in place of both [[Corps]] and [[Battalion]], they also replace Company with [[artillery battery|Battery]] and Platoon with Troop. ===Aviation components=== The British Army operates alongside the [[Royal Air Force]] as part of a Joint Force, but the army also has its own [[Army Air Corps (United Kingdom)|Army Air Corps]]. The AAC has in its arsenal: *[[Westland WAH-64 Apache|Westland Apache]] Helicopters *[[Westland Lynx]] Helicopters *[[Westland Gazelle]] Helicopters *[[Bell 212]] Helicopters *[[Britten-Norman Islander]] Aircraft *[[Agusta A109]] ==Special Forces== {{main|United Kingdom Special Forces}} The British Army contributes two of the three [[special forces]] formations within the [[United Kingdom Special Forces]] Command; the [[Special Air Service]] Regiment and the [[Special Reconnaissance Regiment]]. The most famous formation is the [[Special Air Service]] Regiment. Formed in 1941, the SAS is considered the role model for many other [[Special Forces|special force]] Regiments in the world {{Fact|date=February 2007}}. The SAS comprises one regular Regiment and two [[Territorial Army]] Regiments and is headquartered at Duke of York Barracks, [[London]]. The regular Regiment, 22 SAS Regiment has its headquarters and depot located in [[Hereford]] and consists of five squadrons: A, B, D, G and Reserve and a training wing. The regiment has battlespace roles in deep reconnaissance, target identification and indication and target destruction and denial. In its Counter Terrorism role it is seen as one of the prime anti-terrorist, hostage rescue and target capture units in the world.{{Fact|date=October 2007}} The two reserve SAS Regiments; [[Artists' Rifles|21 SAS]] Regiment and [[23 SAS]] Regiment have a more limited role, focusing on the battlespace, with tasks including Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols and Combat Search and Rescue; rather than Counter-Terrorism.{{Fact|date=October 2007}} The [[Special Reconnaissance Regiment]] (SRR) which was formed in 2005, from existing assets, undertakes close reconnaissance and special surveillance tasks.{{Fact|date=October 2007}} Formed around 1st Battalion the [[Parachute Regiment (United Kingdom)|Parachute Regiment]], with attached [[Royal Marines]] and [[RAF Regiment]] assets, the [[Special Forces Support Group]] are under the Operational Control of Director Special Forces to provide operational manoeuvre support to the elements of United Kingdom Special Forces. ==Recruitment== The Army mainly recruits within the United Kingdom, and normally has a recruitment target of around 25,000 soldiers per year. Low unemployment in Britain has resulted in the Army having difficulty in meeting its target , and in the early years of the 21st century there has been a marked increase in the number of recruits from other (mostly [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]]) countries. In 2008 [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] origin volunteers comprised approximately 6.7% of the Army's total strength. In total 6,600 foreign soldiers from 42 countries were represented in the Army, not including [[Gurkhas]]. After Gurkhas, the nation with most citizens in the British Army is [[Fiji]], with 1,900, followed by [[Jamaica]] and [[Ghana]] with 600 each; soldiers also come from more prosperous countries such as Australia, South Africa and the [[Republic of Ireland]]. The [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] is now considering capping the number of recruits from Commonwealth countries, although this will not affect the Gurkhas. If the trend continues 10% of the army will be from Commonwealth countries before 2012. The cap is being debated, as some fear the army's "[[Britishness]]" is being diluted, and employing too many could make the army seen as employing too many [[mercenaries]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/apr/05/military.defence|title= Commonwealth recruitment caps & current commonwealth troop levels.| publisher= Guardian Newspaper|accessdate=|date}}</ref> The minimum recruitment age is 16 years (but only after the end of GCSEs), although soldiers may not serve on operations below 18 years; the maximum recruitment age was raised in January 2007 from 26 to 33 years. The normal term of engagement is 22 years, and once enlisted soldiers are not normally permitted to leave until they have served at least 4 years.<ref>{{cite web | title=Recruitment Age for Army Raised | publisher= | date=[[2007-01-06]] | work=BBC News | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6236345.stm | accessdate=2007-01-12 }}</ref> There has been a strong and continuing tradition of recruiting from Ireland including what is now the [[Republic of Ireland]]. Almost 150,000 Irish soldiers fought in the First World War; 49,000 died. More than 60,000 Irishmen, more than from [[Northern Ireland]], also saw action in the Second World War; like their compatriots in the Great War, all were volunteers. There were more than 400 men serving from the Republic in 2003.<ref> ''[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/03/19/wirq619.xml ‘Ian's death brought people together']'' in the ''[[Daily Telegraph]]'' [[19 March]] 2003</ref> ==Oath of allegiance== [[Image:Queens.guard.buck.palace.arp.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Troops of the [[Grenadier Guards]] on guard at [[Buckingham Palace]]. Various army regiments supply troops to guard the Royal residences.]] All soldiers must take an oath of allegiance upon joining the Army, a process known as "attestation". Those who believe in [[God]] use the following words: {{cquote|I swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II]], her heirs and successors and that I will as in duty bound honestly and faithfully defend Her Majesty, her heirs and successors in person, [[British Crown|crown]] and dignity against all enemies and will observe and obey all orders of Her Majesty, her heirs and successors and of the generals and officers set over me.<ref>http://www.army.mod.uk/servingsoldier/usefulinfo/valuesgeneral/adp5milcov/ss_hrpers_values_adp5_3_w.html#selfless</ref>}} Others replace the words "swear by Almighty God" with "solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm".{{Fact|date=March 2008}} ==Training establishments<ref>[http://www.army.mod.uk/unitsandorgs/trestabl/index.htm Training Establishments<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>== *[[Army Training Regiment]]s: **ATR Bassingbourn **ATR Winchester **ATR Pirbright **ATR Lichfield **AFC Harrogate *[[Infantry Training Centre]]s: **ITC Catterick **Infantry Battle School, Brecon **Support Weapons School, Warminster *[[Regional training centre]]s *[[Tri Service Police College]] *[[Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College]] *[[Royal Military Academy Sandhurst]] (RMAS) ==Flags and ensigns== [[Image:Flag of the United Kingdom (3-5).svg|thumb|right|175px|[[Image:FIAV 001000.svg|20px]] Flag Ratio: 3:5. The official flag of the Army.]] [[Image:Flag of the British Army.svg|thumb|left|175px|The non-ceremonial flag of the British Army. Sometimes the word "Army" in gold letters appears below the badge.]] The British Army does not have its own specific ensign, unlike the Royal Navy, which uses the [[White Ensign]], and the RAF, which uses the [[Royal Air Force Ensign]]. Instead, the Army has different flags and ensigns, for the entire army and the different regiments and corps. The official flag of the Army as a whole is the [[Union Flag]], flown in ratio 3:5. A non-ceremonial flag also exists, which is used at recruiting events, military events and exhibitions. It also flies from the MOD building in Whitehall.<ref>[http://www.britishflags.net/British%20Army.html britishflags.net- British Army (non-ceremonial)]</ref> Whilst at war, the Union Flag is always used, and this flag represents the Army on the [[Cenotaph]] in [[Whitehall]], [[London]] (the UK's memorial to war dead). A British Army ensign also exists for vessels commanded by a commissioned officer, the [[Blue Ensign]] defaced with the Army badge. Army Vessels are operated by the Maritime element of the [[Royal Logistic Corps]]. Each line regiment (which does not include the Rifle Regiments) also has its own flags, known as [[Colours, standards and guidons|the Colours]] - the Regimental Colour and the Queen's Colour. These Colours have been taken into battle in the past and give pride to the regiment. There is great variation in the designs of different Regimental Colours. Typically the colour has the Regiment's badge in the centre. <br clear="all" /> ==Ranks, specialisms and insignia== <!--Do not subst the template(s)--> {| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;" {{Ranks and Insignia of NATO/Army/Blank}} {{Ranks and Insignia of NATO/Army/United Kingdom}} |- align = center |Abbreviation||FM||Gen.||Lt-Gen.||Maj-Gen.||Brig.||Col.||Lt-Col.||Maj.||Capt.||Lt.||2nd Lt. |- |colspan = 5| * <sup>1</sup> Now an honorary or wartime rank only. |} {| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;" {{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OR/Blank}} {{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OR/United Kingdom}} |} Every regiment and corps has its own distinctive insignia, such as [[cap badge]], [[beret]] and [[stable belt]]. Throughout the army there are many official specialisms. They do not affect rank, but they do affect pay bands. {| | '''Band 2 Specialisms:''' | '''Band 3 Specialisms:''' |- | Musician | Survey Technician |- | Farrier | Lab Technician |- | Driver Tank Transporter | Registered General Nurse |- | Radar Operator | Telcom Op (Special) |- | Meteorologist | Aircraft Technician |- | Bomb Disposal Engineer | SAS Trooper |- | Telcom Op (Linguist) | [[Ammunition Technician|Ammunition Technician (Bomb Disposal)]] |- | Operator Special Intelligence |- | Construction Materials Technician |- | Driver Specialist |- | Armoured Engineer |- |} ==Royal Navy and RAF infantry units== The other armed services have their own infantry units which are not part of the British Army. The [[Royal Marines]] are amphibious [[light infantry]] forming part of the [[Royal Navy]], and the [[Royal Air Force]] has the [[RAF Regiment]] used for airfield defence, force protection duties and Forward Air Control. ==Overseas territories military units== [[Image:Bermuda Regiment Warrant Officers.jpg|thumb|right|180px|Two [[Bermuda Regiment]] Warrant Officers.]] Numerous military units were raised historically in British territories, including self-governing and Crown colonies, and protectorates. Few of these have appeared on the Army List, and their relationship to the British Army has been ambiguous. Whereas Dominions, such as Canada and Australia, raised their own armies, Crown possessions (like the Channel Islands), and colonies (now called [[British Overseas Territory|Overseas Territories]]) were, and are, dependencies of the UK, and their defence remains the responsibility of the National (i.e., United Kingdom) government. All military forces of overseas territories are, therefore, under the direct command of the UK Government, via the local Governor and Commander-In-Chief. Many of the units in colonies, or former colonies, were also actually formed at the behest of the UK Government as it sought to reduce the deployment of the British Army on garrison around the world at the latter end of the 19th century. Today, three overseas territories retain locally-raised military units, [[Bermuda]], [[Gibraltar]], and the [[Falkland Islands]]. The units are patterned on the British Army, are subject to review by the Ministry of Defence, and are ultimately under the control of the British government, not the local governments of the territories (though day-to-day control may be delegated to Ministers of the territorial governments). Despite this, the units may have no tasking or funding from the MOD, and are generally raised under acts of the territorial assemblies. *[[Bermuda Regiment]] *[[Royal Gibraltar Regiment]] *[[Falkland Islands Defence Force]] ==See also== *[[List of British Army Regiments (2008)]] *[[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] *[[Red coat (British army)|Redcoat]] *[[Territorial Army]] *[[Home Service Force]] *[[Volunteer Army (British)|Volunteer Army]] *[[British military history]] *[[British Army Casualties during Operation TELIC]] *[[Royal Navy]] *[[Royal Air Force]] *[[United Kingdom Special Forces]] *[[Modern equipment and uniform of the British Army]] *[[ARRSE|The British Army Rumour Service]] *[[Military Covenant]] *[[Army Cadet Force]](ACF) *[[Army Rugby Union]] *[[Military mascot]] *[[List of nicknames of British Army regiments]] ==Footnotes== {{reflist|2}} ==External links== {{commonscat|British Army}} * [http://www.army.mod.uk/ British Army Website] * [http://www.forcesreunited.org.uk/ British Army Friends Reunited] * [http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/?product_id=1554 The British Army: A Pocket Guide 2008-2009] {{United Kingdom Ministry of Defence}} {{DEFAULTSORT:British Army}} [[Category:Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)| ]] [[Category:Military of the United Kingdom| ]] [[Category:British Army| ]] [[da:Royal Army]] [[de:British Army]] [[es:Ejército Británico]] [[fr:British Army]] [[ga:Arm na Breataine]] [[it:British Army]] [[he:הצבא הבריטי]] [[ka:ბრიტანეთის არმია]] [[ja:イギリス陸軍]] [[no:British Army]] [[pt:Exército britânico]] [[ru:Британская Армия]] [[sco:Breetish airmy]] [[simple:British Army]] [[fi:Britannian armeija]] [[sv:British Army]] [[zh:英國陸軍]]