In recent years the British Army has been involved in a number of major operations as a force for good in the world. It has helped to build a safer world in the Balkans, the Gulf, East Timor, Afghanistan and most recently Iraq. The last few years have been the busiest time in the Army for the last 40 years, with the Army working closely with the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. Operation TELIC remains the most significant operational commitment. However, many troops are also deployed as part of multi-national forces in the Balkans, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone and with the UN in Cyprus. The Army also has garrison forces in Brunei, Cyprus, Germany, Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands.
Operation TELIC has shown us that Britain still needs forces that can operate effectively on the ground, whether to enforce and keep the peace or to take and hold territory. Now, more than ever, there is the need to have forces which are deployable and mobile, but that have sufficient protection and firepower for high-intensity conflict. The British Army is one of the few armies capable of operating at all these different levels, from helping civilian communities to peace-keeping and to warfighting.
In December 2004 we announced a new structure for the Army. This new structure will ensure that the Army is able to meet the demands of current and future operations and is fit for the challenges of the 21st Century and remains amongst the best in the world. The changes to the structure will provide the most powerful organisation and capability possible from the available resources.
The main elements of the British Army are:
Household Cavalry and Royal Armoured Corps (RAC) - the Household Cavalry provide squadrons for armoured reconnaissance, in addition to providing troops for Ceremonial Duties. The RAC consists of Cavalry Regiments and the Royal Tank Regiment. It provides mobile firepower and has recently been equipped with the world-class Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank. It is also equipped with armoured reconnaissance vehicles, which use advanced technology to locate the enemy, or assess Nuclear, Biological or Chemical contamination.
Infantry - the Infantry's main war role is to make contact with and destroy the enemy on the ground. Comprising just over one fifth of the Army, they can operate in any terrain or climate, world-wide. Delivery to the combat zone can be by air, sea or land. The Warrior Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle enables the Infantry to operate alongside tanks and close with the enemy whilst remaining well protected.
Army Air Corps - able to operate by day or night, the Army Corps' tasks range from armed action, reconnaissance, directing artillery, and ground attack aircraft to moving troops and stores, casualty evacuation or acting as an airborne command post. They currently operate Lynx and Gazelle helicopters as well as Islander light aircraft. With the introduction of Apache attack helicopters over the next few years, they will possess one of the most awesome battle winning systems ever deployed by the British Army. The Apache will revolutionise the Army's battlefield capacity.
Royal Regiment of Artillery - the Royal Artillery provides indirect fire support and air defence for the Army in the field, working closely with other combat arms. Their equipment ranges from hand held air defence weapons to the latest self-propelled tracked gun and multiple launch rocket systems. The "Gunners" also operate various surveillance and target acquisition systems. The Phoenix remotely piloted aircraft entered service in 1999 and was used in Kosovo. It can operate in all weather, day and night and provides real time target information.
Corps of Royal Engineers - the Royal Engineers' prime task is to improve our battlefield mobility whilst restricting the enemy's. Their tasks range from building bridges to destroying them, clearing minefields to laying anti-vehicle mines, surveying and map production for all the services, camp construction, power generation, airstrip building for the RAF and Explosive Ordnance Disposal. In addition, they provide divers and amphibious bridging for the services.
Royal Corps of Signals - the Royal Signals provide essential communication and electronic warfare support to commanders on the battlefield. They are capable of passing information securely and instantaneously across the globe using state of the art communications systems.
Intelligence Corps - critical information about the enemy is supplied to commanders by the Intelligence Corps. They also help to protect our troops from enemy spying.
Royal Army Chaplains' Department - provides chaplains of all denominations and is responsible for moral and spiritual welfare.
Royal Logistic Corps - responsible for the provision and distribution of equipment and stores for the Army, from mail to ammunition, by rail, road, sea and air. In addition they provide catering for the Army, and Specialist Bomb Disposal.
Royal Army Medical Corps - responsible for the sick and wounded on the battlefield and for providing for the medical needs of Army personnel and their families in peacetime garrisons.
Royal Army Dental Corps - responsible for the dental health and hygiene of military personnel and their families.
Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers - provide maintenance to all the Army's equipment, from the Apache Attack Helicopter and Main Battle Tanks, to Small Firearms. In addition, they are integrated into the Army's Equipment Acquisition process, and responsible for ensuring that the Army's Equipment complies with all existing safety legislation.
Adjutant General's Corps - provides support in a number of areas including financial management, administration, education, legal and policing.
Royal Army Veterinary Corps - cares for the Army's animals.
Small Arms School Corps - trains instructors in all aspects of infantry weapon handling.
Army Physical Training Corps - maintains the fitness of the Army.
Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps - provides nursing support to the Army in peace and war.
Corps of Army Music - provide musicians for Army Bands; their other role is to support the Army's Medical Services during conflict.
Territorial Army - an integral part of Britain's Armed Forces, the Territorial Army support the Regular Army at home and abroad. Reservists are often found on deployment alongside their regular counterparts, in addition to providing specialist functions that are called upon to support specific operations (see also leaflet about the Reserve Forces).