According to foreign media, on November 26, 2021, the British Ministry of Defense announced the upcoming reorganization of the British army, the plan of which was called the "Soldier of the Future" (FUTURE SOLDIER). Her Majesty's Defense Department described this process as "the most radical transformation program in more than 20 years" and confirmed the planned reduction of the Ground Forces (Army) to 73 thousand people.
As previously announced, in March 2021, the Defense Integrated Review plans to form new Brigade combat Teams (BCT, hereinafter - BBG). Most units will also be reorganized as the balance of power changes, and some of them will receive new assignments and new equipment. The exact details of all changes and how they will affect each military formation and all categories of personnel will be determined by separate orders, the publication of which is expected in the coming months.
In general, according to Soldier of the Future, the British Ground Forces are combined into four separate comprehensive formations: the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, the Field Army, the Territorial Command and the Joint Helicopter Command.
Light units of the British Army
Headquarters and Allied Rapid Response Corps
According to the plan of the reform, the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) should be in high readiness for deployment to receive the NATO Response Force (NRF) under its leadership. The position of the British Army Command, as the main European ground partner of the United States, is determined by confidence in its leadership in the military structure of the North Atlantic Alliance. The NCDB Headquarters is a leading three-star NATO headquarters capable of being deployed worldwide in various configurations to manage national or NATO missions. It provides a framework within which international partners can deploy forces and operate in a wide variety of conflicts.
As part of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (headquarters in Innsworth, Gloucester neighborhood), it is planned to have 104 Theater of Operations Logistics Support Brigade and 1 communications brigade. 104 Theater Support Brigade is a logistics support unit designed to deliver materiel that ensures readiness power elements. The brigade was transferred to the subordination of the CBI in October 2021.
The 1st communications brigade is also under the operational command of the headquarters of the SCBR. The brigade provides communication with the headquarters of the RCDB, the Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ), the joint helicopter forces and other government departments (Other Government Departments, OGD) Great Britain.
English Challenger 2 in Estonia. 2019
The Field Army
The Field Army (hereinafter referred to as the PA) is headed by the corresponding Commander (Commander Field Army, CFA) with the rank of Colonel General. The location of the headquarters is Andover, east of Salisbury Plain. The formation is "the cornerstone of the Army's contribution to modern deterrence." The PA provides properly trained units of the British Ground Forces to conduct combat operations.
The main components of the PA are: 1 division, headquarters in York, but by 2028 will move to Catterick; 3 division, headquarters in Bulford; 6 division, headquarters in Upavon. In addition, separate military units are assigned to the PA, the joint headquarters of which is also located in Andover. According to the guide to the Soldier of the Future plan:
- The 1st Division is the most versatile force in the British Army – light, maneuverable, deadly and expeditionary. She leads ground operations outside the Euro-Atlantic region and offers NATO the flexibility to conduct operations on its flanks. It is a permanent UK force working with partners around the world through strategic global hubs.
- The 3rd division is designed to guarantee the ability to conduct multi-domain combat operations to a great depth in cooperation with NATO allies.
- The 6th division provides cyber warfare, electronic warfare, information operations, as well as other non-traditional capabilities designed to conduct operations on the threshold of war. Its operational potential should provide other PA formations, the headquarters of the CBRN and the headquarters of the strategic joint forces with an information and breakthrough advantage.
- The PA troops combine other, amphibious assault, reconnaissance, medical and sanitary and other high-tech units.
British Light Infantry training at the training ground
Territorial (home) Command
The Territorial Command (Home Command), headquartered in Aldershot, will be headed by a Colonel-General. The structure is "an auxiliary command of the Army and supports the foundations of its combat power through community engagement, recruitment, basic training, education, support for cadets and veterans, as well as state ceremonies and public duties."
The main components of the Territorial Command are: Army Personnel Center (APC); Army Recruitment and Initial Training Command (ARITC); Royal Military Academy Sandhurst Group; London Military District; Regional Command (RC); Army Group personnel Services (Army Personnel Services Group, APSG); weapons arsenals and other services.
The AN-64 Apache helicopter of the British Army
Joint Helicopter Command
The Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) also has its headquarters in Andover and unites three categories of helicopter equipment under the general leadership. The main role of the HVAC is to train personnel, maintain combat readiness and ensure the supply of combat helicopters in the interests of current operations, the stability of national armed forces, global unforeseen circumstances and constant interaction with foreign partners.
In addition to the presented "big four", the British Armed Forces are supposed to have other units of military police, commandos, engineering and aviation specialists.
Based on the materials of the resource joint-forces.com