TO DO: Graphics by Brigade, then into Division
Below is the structure of the British Army in 2020. The below structure is organised based on the Army 2020 programme announced in 2010, with its further supplements in 2015 (Army 2020 Refine) and 2017. Under this "refine", the British Army was reduced to two three-star commands; Commander Field Army and Commander Home Command, and reorganised along quick reaction and sustained warfare lines. The former being the deployable command, and the later being the home defence and support command.
The list shown below is still changing as a result of the above said refines, but shows the current overall structure of the army.
Note: units in bold are higher commands, and the units which are part of the Army Reserve are given the designation of (V) after the unit title.
Abbreviations:
Insignia:
Below is the structure of the General Staff, the command staff of the army, and its subordinate support offices. The stars after each command represents that officer's rating.[1]
The 1st Aviation Brigade was formed on 25 April 2020, grouping the army's combat regiments into one formation sitting under Joint Helicopter Command. It was initially based at Wattisham Flying Station, but later moved to Middle Wallop Flying Station.[12][13][14] Note: Individual squadrons are shown as some have different loadouts, missions, locations, etc.
Commander Field Army is "... responsible for generating and preparing forces for current and contingency operations...".[1] CFA is the only 3-star operational command remaining in the army, and sits alongside Commander Home Command under the General Staff.
LWC is a 2 star command "delivering trained soldiers and validated units to the British Army. Driving Field Army Warfare Development to deliver success on operations."[53] The Land Warfare Centre oversees the three training/support overseas units: Suffield (Canada), Kenya, and Belize.[54]
Under the Army 2020 reforms, the 1st (United Kingdom) Armoured Division was moved back to the United Kingdom from Germany and dropped its armoured units. However, the 4th and 7th Armoured Brigades remained, but were quickly reorganised as infantry formations, also dropping their armoured troops. Soon after, the regional brigades of Regional Command were assigned to the now redesignation 1st (United Kingdom) Division. This division formed the core of the 'Adaptable Force', which "will form an agile grouping of forces, commanded by Headquarters 1st (United Kingdom) Division". Initially, the division was slated to comprise seven infantry brigades: 4th & HQ North East, 7th & HQ East, 11th & HQ South East, 38th (Irish), 42nd & HQ North Wests, 51st & HQ Scotland, and 160th & HQ Wales, in addition to one support formation, 102nd Logistic Brigade (due to disband by 2019, but was cancelled). The division would also be tasked with overseeing the battalions on rotation to the overseas forces (Cyprus, Brunei, the Falkland Islands, and 11th Infantry Brigade).[74]
Under the Army 2020 Refine announced by 2017, 38th (Irish) and 160th Infantry Brigade & HQ Wales were moved to Regional Command, while 42nd (North West) Brigade was reduced to a Colonel's command and subsequently renamed as Headquarters North West.[75]
Following a later reorganisation of the Field Army as a whole in August 2019, 4th and 51st Infantry Brigades each took two new battalions in addition to two new Army Reserve battalions which were formed by late 2019. At the same time, the division took control of several brigades from the recently disbanded Force Troops Command: 8th Engineer, 104th Logistic Support, and 2nd Medical Brigades.[75][76]
Under the Future Soldier programme, the 51st Infantry Brigade & Headquarters Scotland will move under Regional Command and loose its operational capability. The 4th Infantry Brigade & HQ North East will become 4th Light Brigade Combat Team (BCT), 7th Infantry Brigade & HQ East will become 7th Light Mechanised BCT, 11th Infantry Brigade & HQ South East will become 11th Security Force Assistance Brigade, a new brigade; 19th Reserve Brigade will be formed and consist of several army reserve units, in addition for the first time since 2012 before Army 2020, four units will move under direct control of the division: 1st and 5th Military Intelligence Battalions, INT CORPS, and the 2nd and 37th Signal Regiments.[77]
Under the initial Army 2020 Reform, the 4th Mechanised Brigade merged with 15th (North East) Brigade in 2014, with the former forming the tactical headquarters and the latter the regional headquarters. By 2015, the brigade had the following units under its control: Light Dragoons and Queen's Own Yeomanry in the light cavalry role and the 2nd and 4th Battalions, The Yorkshire Regiment in the Light Mechanised and Light Reserve Infantry roles respectively. Under the Army 2020 Refine, in 2017 the brigade dropped 2 YORKS (moved to Cyprus), and gained the 1st and 4th Battalions, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (transferred from the reduced 42nd Infantry Brigade & Headquarters North West in the light infantry role.[74]
In 2019, under the Field Army reorganisation, the Royal Highland Fusiliers (2nd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland) and 52nd Lowland Volunteers (6th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland) transferred to the brigade from the 51st Infantry Brigade. In 2021, under the Future Soldier programme it was announced the brigade would be reorganised as the '4th Light Brigade Combat Team' with eight light infantry battalions, and four support units (1 x Reserve light artillery, 1 x reserve close support engineers, 1 x reserve transport regiment, and 1 x close support maintenance battalion).[77]
Under the initial Army 2020 reform, the 7th Armoured Brigade and 49th (East) Brigade were merged, with the former becoming the tactical element and the latter the regional element. The new brigade initially oversaw the following units: Queen's Dragoon Guards and Royal Yeomanry in the light cavalry role; 2nd Battalion, Royal Anglian Regiment and 1st Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment in the light mechanised role; and 1st & 3rd Battalions, Royal Anglian Regiment, 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment, and 3rd Battalion, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment in the light infantry role.[74]
Under the Army 2020 refine programme, the 1st & 2nd Battalions, Royal Irish Regiment and the 3rd Battalion, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment were transferred to the 11th Infantry Brigade, while the newly formed 4th Battalion, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment was brought under the brigade. At the same time, the 1st and 6th Battalions, The Rifles were brought under the control of the brigade from the reduced 160th (Wales) Brigade.[75]
Under the Future Soldier programme announced in 2021, the brigade will be re-desigated as the '7th Light Mechanised Brigade Combat Team' and consisted of a light cavalry regiment, five light mechanised infantry battalions, two light artillery regiments, a close support engineer regiment, a close support mechanical battalion, and a close support medical regiment.[77]
Under the initial Army 2020 programme, the 2nd (South East) Infantry Brigade and 145th (Home Counties) Brigades were merged into the 11th Infantry and Headquarters South East with the forming becoming the tactical element and the latter the regional element. After formation, the brigade initially controlled the following units: 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards in the light mechanised role, and the 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards, 1st Battalion, Royal Gurkha Rifles, London Regiment, and 3rd Battalion, Royal Welsh in the light infantry role.[74]
Under the Army 2020 Refine, the 3rd Battalion, Royal Welsh was transferred to the 12th Armoured Infantry Brigade, while the 1st Battalion, Royal Gurkha Rifles was transferred to the 16th Air Assault Brigade. Subsequently, the Grenadier Guards were re-equipped as a light mechanised battalion. After the 2019 public duties rotations (occurring every three years), the Grenadier Guards and Welsh Guards were replaced by the Irish Guards and Coldstream Guards respectively in the light infantry role. In the subsequent 2019 Field Army reorganisation, the 1st and 2nd Battalions, Royal Irish Regiment and 3rd Battalion, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment were transferred to the brigade from the 7th Infantry Brigade & Headquarters East.[75]
Under the Future Soldier programme announced in 2021, the brigade will be redesignated as the '11th Security Force Assistance Brigade' and comprise five infantry battalions and a outreach group.[77]
Under the initial Army 2020 programme, the 51st (Scottish) Brigade was merged with 52nd Infantry Brigade, with the former becoming the regional element and namesake of the formation, and the latter becoming the tactical element. At first the brigade oversaw the following units: Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry in the light cavalry role; 3rd Battalion, The Rifles and Black Watch in the light mechanised role; and Royal Highland Fusiliers, 5th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, 51st Highland Volunteers (7th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland) and 52nd Lowland Volunteers (6th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland) in the light infantry role.[74]
Under the Army 2020 Refine programme, the 5th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers was transferred to the 20th Armoured Infantry Brigade, and the new 8th Battalion, The Rifles formed in 2018. Under the 2019 Field Army reorganisation, the 52nd Lowland Volunteers and Royal Highland Fusiliers were transferred to the 4th Infantry Brigade, while the 2nd Battalion, The Rifles was transferred from the 38th (Irish) Brigade.[75]
Under the Future Soldier programme announced in 2021, the units of the brigade will be distributed to other brigades and the brigade will cease to be an operational formation and come under control of Regional Command.[77]
Under the initial Army 2020 reform, the 8th Force Engineer Brigade was re-designated as 8th Engineer Brigade. During the Army 2020 refine the brigade was expanded with the movement of 32nd Engineer Regiment into 12 Engineer Group as a force support regiment, cancellation of the disbandment of 33rd Engineer Regiment, and reformation of 28th Engineer Regiment (in 2018).[74][75]
During the 2019 Field Army reorganisation, Force Troops Command was disbanded, and the 8th Engineer Brigade was transferred to the 1st (United Kingdom) Division. Under the Future Soldier programme, the brigade will be reorganised with the 32nd Engineer Regiment moving to 7th Light Mechanised BCT and 75th Engineer Regiment moving to 4th Light BCT.[77]
Under the initial Army 2020 programme, 102nd Logistic Brigade was moved under 1st (UK) Division, and was initially organised with all those regiments in 2021 plus the 101st, 102nd, 104th, and 106th Battalions, REME (Army Reserve).[74]
Under the Army 2020 Refine, the 101st and 102nd Battalions, REME moved to 101st Logistic Brigade while 103rd and 104th Battalions, REME were disbanded. 102nd Logistic Brigade Headquarters and 2nd Medical Regiment were also slated to disband with its units moving to other regiments. The decision to disband these was later reversed however.[75]
Under the Future Soldier programme, the brigade will be redesignated as the 102nd Operational Sustainment Brigade and remain part of the 1st (UK) Division. In 2024 the brigade headquarters will move from Grantham (which is due to close) and move to Imphal Barracks in York, but in 2024 move to Catterick Garrison. Under Future Soldier, the brigade's structure will be more than halved, with the 6th Regiment RLC, 1st Battalion REME, and 3rd Medical Regiment RAMC moving to 7th Light Mechanised BCT, 3rd Medical Regiment RAMC. The following regiments will disbanded: 2nd Medical Regiment, 205th (Scottish) Field Hospital & 225th (Scottish) Medical Regiment will merge into 215th (Scottish) Multi-Role Medical Regiment (MMR), 204th (North Irish) Field Hospital & 253rd (North Irish) Medical Regiment will merge into 210th (North Irish) MMR, and 254th (East of England) Medical Regiment will become 254th (East of England) MMR.[77]
Under the initial Army 2020 programme, the 104th Logistic Support Bde moved was under control of Force Troops Command. The structure of the brigade was as follows: 17th Port & Maritime Regiment RLC in Marchwood, 165th (Wessex) Port & Enabling Regiment RLC HQ in Plymouth, 29th Postal Courier and Movement Control Regiment RLC in South Cerney, 162nd Postal Courier and Movement Control Regiment RLC HQ in Nottingham, 152nd Fuel Support Regiment RLC HQ in Belfast, 167th Catering Support Regiment RLC in Grantham, and 2nd Operational Support Group RLC in Grantham.[74]
Under the Army 2020 Refine programme, 5th Force Support and 101st Force Support Battalions REME were transferred from 101st Logistic Brigade. Under the 2019 Field Army reorganisation, the brigade was transferred from the disbanded Force Troops Command to 1st (UK) Division.[75]
As part of the Future Soldier programme, the brigade was re-designated as 104th Theatre Sustainment Brigade (in October 2021) and consequently subordinated directly to the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps. 9th Theatre Support Battalion REME will be established by 2025 within the brigade, while 5th Force Support Battalion REME will move to 101st Operational Sustainment Bde in 2023 and 101st Force Support Battalion REME moved to 102nd Operational Sustainment Bde.[77]
Under the initial Army 2020 programme, the 2nd Medical Brigade was under Force Troops Command and consisted of all the same regiments in 2021, in addition to 33rd Field Hospital at Fort Blockhouse in Gosport.[74]
Under the Army 2020 Refine, 33rd Field Hospital was disbanded and the Operational HQ Support Group was redesignated as the Medical Operational Support Group. Under the 2019 Field Army reorganisation, Force Troops Command was disbanded and the brigade joined 1st (UK) Division.[75]
As part of the Future Soldier programme, the brigade will be reduced to a colonel's command (group) and be redesignated as the 2nd Medical Group by 2023. All current field hospitals will become known as 'Multi-Role Medical Regiments' (MMR), and wholescale mergers will occur. The following regiments will merge: 201st (Northern) & 212th (Yorkshire) Field Hospitals will become 214th (North East) MMR, 207th (Manchester) and 208th (Liverpool) Field Hospitals will become 206th (North East) MMR, 205th (Scottish) and 225th (Scottish) Medical Regiment will become 215th (Scottish) MMR, 204th (North Irish) Field Hospital and 253rd (North Irish) Medical Regiment will become 210th (North Irish) MMR, 256th (City of London) Field Hospital will become 256th (London & South East) MMR, and 254th (East of England) MMR will join the group.[77]
Under the Army 2020 reforms, the 3rd (United Kingdom) Mechanised Division was reorganised and subsequently expanded significantly with the re-subordination of 20th Armoured Brigade (now 20th Armoured Infantry Bde) and 101st Logistic Brigade (from 1st (UK) Armoured Division). The division formed the core of the 'Reaction Force', which would be centred around three armoured infantry brigades (old 1st Mechanised, 12th Mechanised, and 20th Armoured), 16th Air Assault Brigade (under direct command of Commander, Field Army), and the Joint Helicopter Command (also under Commander, Field Army).[74]
However, under the Army 2020 Refine announced in 2017, the division was rapidly expanded with the transferring of 25th (Close Support) Engineer Group from 8th Engineer Brigade[g], and the planned formation of the two new 'Strike Brigades', the first by redesignating the 1st Armoured Infantry Brigade, and 2nd from the Strike Experimentation Group.[127]
Under the Field Army reorganisation in August 2019, 11th Signal Brigade & HQ West Midlands was transferred from 6th (UK) Division, 1st Artillery Brigade (from Force Troops Command, previously also HQ South West which became an independent Colonel's command under Regional Command), and 7th Air Defence Group (from Joint Ground Based Air Defence HQ) joined the division, thereby massively expanding the size and supporting forces of the division.[128][129][130][131]
As part of the Future Soldier changes, the division will be re-organised into four brigades: 1st Deep Recce Strike BCT (merger of 1st Armoured Infantry and 1st Artillery Brigades), 12th Armoured BCT (re-designation of 12th Armoured Inf Bde), 20th Armoured BCT (re-designation of 20th Armoured Inf Bde), and the 101st Operational Sustainment Brigade (re-designation of 101st Logistic Brigade). In addition, three groups will provide close support: 7th Air Defence Group, 25th (Close Support) Engineer Group, and 7th Signals Group (from 11th Signal Brigade & HQ West Midlands). In addition to the above formations, three units will fall under the direct control of the division: 4th and 7th Military Intelligence Battalions, and the Royal Wessex Yeomanry (under 12th Armoured BCT for administration).
Under the Army 2020 programme, 11th Signal Brigade was expanded by more than 5 times with the reduction of 2nd (NC) Signal Brigade to 2nd Signal Group overseeing the supporting signal regiments while 7th Signal Group oversaw the close and general support signal regiments. Initially the brigade comprised the following units: 2nd Signal Group (10th, 15th, 32nd, 37th, 39th (Skinners), and 71st (City of London) Yeomanry Signal Regiments) and 7th Signal Group (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 16th, and 21st Signal Regiments).
Under the Army 2020 Refine, 2nd Signal Group was disbanded with the following changes: 32nd and 39th Signal Regiments moving to 1st (UK) Signal Brigade and 10th and 71st Signal Regiments moving to direct control of the brigade.
As part of the Future Soldier changes, 11th Signal Brigade will be disbanded, though 7th Signal Group was remain under direct control of 3rd (UK) Division organised with the 1st, 3rd, 15th, and 71st Signal Regiments. The following other moves will occur: 10th and 16th Signal Regiments moving to 1st (UK) Signal Brigade; 2nd and 37th Signal Regiments move to 1st (UK) Division direct control; 255 Signal Squadron of 15th Signal Regiment becomes independent under the Army Special Operations Brigade; and 21st Signal Regiment moves to the new Cyber and Electro Magnetic Activities Effects Group.
Under the Army 2020 programme, the 1st Mechanised Brigade was redesignated as 1st Armoured Infantry Brigade and organised as follows: Household Cavalry Regiment (Armoured Cavalry), Royal Tank Regiment (Armoured, Tanks), 1st Battalions of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and Mercian Regiment (Armoured Infantry), and 4th Battalion, The Rifles (Mechanised Infantry).
Under the Army 2020 Refine, the brigade was redesignated as the 1st (United Kingdom) Strike Brigade and was to comprise the following units: Royal Lancers (Armoured Cavalry) and Royal Dragoon Guards (Ajax Armoured), 1st Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment, and 3rd Battalion, The Rifles (Mechanised Infantry). The Strike Experimentation Group was to become the 2nd Strike Brigade by 2025 and comprise the following units as-well: Household Cavalry Regiment (Armoured Cavalry), King's Royal Hussars (Ajax Armoured), 1st Battalion, Scots Guards, and The Highlanders 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland (Mechanised Infantry).
Under the Future Soldier changes, the brigade will merge with the 1st Artillery Brigade to form the 1st Deep Recce Strike BCT. The following units will form part of the BCT (which are currently part of the brigade): Household Cavalry Regiment and Royal Lancers (Armoured Cavalry). All other units will move: Royal Dragoon Guards as Armoured Cavalry in the 20th Armoured BCT; King's Royal Hussars as Armoured Cavalry in 12th Armoured BCT; Scots Guards and The Highlanders as Light Mechanised Infantry in the 7th Light Mechanised BCT; and 3rd Battalion, The Rifles to the 11th Security Force Assistance Brigade.
Under the Army 2020 programme, the 12th Mechanised Brigade was redesignated as the 12th Armoured Infantry Brigade and initially organised as follows: Royal Lancers as Armoured Cavalry; King's Royal Hussars as Armoured with Challenger 2 MBTs; 1st Battalions, Yorkshire Regiment and Royal Welsh as Armoured Infantry; and 1st Battalion, Scots Guards as Mechanised Infantry. For administrative purposes the Royal Wessex Yeomanry is part of the brigade.
Under the Army 2020 Refine, the brigade was expanded with the following changes: Royal Lancers moving to the 1st Strike Brigade as Armoured Cavalry; King's Royal Hussars eventually staying in its role (initially supposed to join the Strike Brigade); Royal Tank Regiment moving from 1st Armoured Infantry Brigade armoured with tanks; 1st Battalion, Scots Guards moving to the 1st Strike Brigade; 1st Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment staying in its role (initially supposed to join the Strike Brigade); 1st and 4th Battalions, Mercian Regiment joining from the 1st Armoured Infantry Brigade and 42nd Infantry Brigade; and the 3rd Battalion, Royal Welsh joining from the 11th Infantry Brigade.
Under the Future Soldier changes, the brigade will be redesignated as the 12th Armoured Brigade Combat Team and reorganise to have both combat and combat support units: King's Royal Hussars as Armoured Cavalry; Royal Tank Regiment armoured with Challenger 3 MBTs; 1st and 4th Battalions, Mercian Regiment and 1st and 3rd Battalions, Royal Welsh as Armoured Infantry; 4th Close Support Logistic Regiment RLC, 4th Armoured Close Support Battalion REME, and 2nd Medical Regiment (redesignation of 4th Armoured Medical Regiment) RAMC as supporting units all from 101st Logistic Brigade. Only the 1st Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment will move, becoming part of the Army's Experimentation and Trials Group (part of the Land Warfare Centre).
Under the Army 2020 programme, the 20th Armoured Brigade was redesignated as the 20th Armoured Infantry Brigade and removed from the 1st (UK) Armoured Division to join the 3rd (UK) Division. The brigade was initially organised as follows: Royal Dragoon Guards as Armoured Cavalry; Queen's Royal Hussars as Armoured with Challenger 2 MBTs; 5th Battalion, The Rifles and 1st Battalion, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment as Armoured Infantry; and The Highlanders, 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland as Mechanised Infantry.
Following the Army 2020 Refine, the brigade was reorganised with the following changes: Royal Dragoon Guards moving to the Strike Brigade as Armoured Cavalry; The Highlanders, 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland moving to the Strike Brigade as Mechanised Infantry; 1st Battalion, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment becoming Light Infantry and moving to Cyprus; 1st and 5th Battalions, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers as armoured infantry from 1st Armoured Infantry and 51st Infantry Brigades respectively; and 7th Battalion, The Rifles joining from the 38th (Irish) Brigade.
As part of the Future Soldier changes, the brigade will be redesignated as the 20th Armoured Brigade Combat Team and reorganise to have both combat and combat support units under its control. The brigade is also due to expand in size and include two more battalions than the 12th Armoured BCT. The following units will be under the command of the brigade by 2023: Royal Dragoon Guards as Armoured Cavalry moving back from the Strike Brigade; Queen's Royal Hussars as Armoured with Challenger 3 MBTs; 1st and 5th Battalions, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, 5th and 7th Battalions, The Rifles, and 1st and 3rd Battalions, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment all as armoured infantry; and 1st Close Support Logistic Regiment RLC, 3rd Armoured Close Support Battalion REME, and 1st Medical Regiment RAMC all from 101st Logistic Brigade as support units.
Under the Army 2020 programme, the former 1st Artillery Brigade based in Upavon was merged with 43rd (Wessex) Brigade (later becoming the regional element) to form the 1st Artillery Brigade and Headquarters South West under Force Troops Command. The brigade was originally organised as follows: 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, 19th Regiment and 26th Regiment Royal Artillery as SPG artillery (AS-90 S-P gun systems); 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery and 4th Regiment Royal Artillery as light artillery (L118 light guns), and 101st (Northumbrian) Regiment Royal Artillery as MLRS reserve (MLRS M270); and 103rd & 105th Regiments Royal Artillery as light artillery (L118 light guns).
Under the Army 2020 Refine, 1st Arty Bde dropped its regional commitments and moved under the 3rd (UK) Division becoming simply the 1st Artillery Brigade and HQ South West subsequently became an independent Colonel's command under Regional Command. Some regiments in the brigade were also reorganised: 26th Regiment Royal Artillery dropped its self-propelled guns and reorganised as a MLRS-equipped regiment, 104th Regiment Royal Artillery joined from 1st Intelligence and Surveillance Brigade and was consequently re-equipped with L118 light guns, and the two remaining light gun regiments (3rd RHA and 4th RA) were reduced by one gun battery and tasked with supporting the new strike brigades.
As part of the Future Soldier changes, the brigade will merge with the 1st (UK) Strike Brigade to form the 1st Deep Recce Strike Brigade Combat Team. The following units of the brigade will join the new BCT: 1st Regiment RHA and 19th Regiment RA with AS-90 self-propelled guns; 26th Regiment and 101st Regiments RA with MLRS M270; 3rd Regiment RHA to be re-equipped with the MLRS M270; 5th Regiment Royal Artillery with radar and range-finding equipment joins from 1st Intelligence and Surveillance Brigade; finally 104th Regiment RA with AS-90 self-propelled guns. As part of the changes, some brigades will become Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) and control their own support units directly, thus the following regiments will move and/or re-role: 4th Regiment RA to be re-equipped with the 155mm M777 howitzer and together with 105th Regiment RA join 7th Light Mechanised BCT; and 103rd Regiment RA join 4th Light BCT.
As part of the 1998 Strategic Defence Review, the Joint Ground Based Air Defence Headquarters was formed, as a joint Royal Air Force-British Army air defence command. As a result of the Army 2020 Refine, the headquarters was disbanded and the following day 7th Air Defence Group was formed to take over the three army regiments which had remained under the headquarters. Under the 2019 Field Army reorganisation, the group was transferred from Force Troops Command to 3rd (UK) Division where it will remain for the foreseeable future including the Future Soldier programme.[186][187]
As part of the Army 2020 programme, Headquarters 3rd (UK) Mechanised Divisional Engineers was redesignated as 25th (Close Support) Engineer Group and consequently reorganised under 8th Engineer Brigade. The group initially comprised five regiments: 22nd, 26th, and 35th Engineer Regiments organised as armoured engineers supporting the three armoured infantry brigades, and the 21st and 32nd Engineer Regiment organised as hybrid close support mechanised engineers.
Under the Army 2020 Refine programme, 25 Engineer Group was moved from 8th Engineer Brigade to direct control of 3rd (UK) Division. The group was consequently reorganised where it dropped 32nd Engineer Regiment to 12th (Force Support) Engineer Group as a force support regiment and 35th Engineer Regiment to 29th (Explosive Ordnance Disposal & Search) Engineer Group as an EOD & Search regiment. Initially 35th Engineer Regiment was supposed to disband, but this was later reversed. Later, the Royal Monmouthshire Militia joined the group as a reserve engineer unit supporting the three other engineer regiments.
Under the Future Soldier changes, the group will remain in its current role and its structure to stay as is.
Under the Army 2020 programme, the 101st Logistic Brigade was removed from Theatre Troops to 3rd (UK) Division and consequently reorganised. The brigade initially comprised the following regiments: 1st, 3rd, and 4th Close Support Logistic Regiments RLC; 9th, 10th Queen's Own Gurkha, and 27th Theatre Logistic Regiment RLC; 151st (Greater London), 154th (Scottish), and 157th (Welsh) Transport Regiments RLC; 156th (North West) Supply Regiment RLC; 1st, 4th, and 5th Armoured Medical Regiments RAMC; 3rd, 4th, and 6th Armoured Close Support Battalion REME; 103rd and 105th Battalions REME; and 5th Force Support Battalion REME.
Under the Army 2020 Refine, 9th Regiment RLC was redesignated as 9th Supply Regiment RLC and joined 104th Logistic Support Bde, 5th Force Support Battalion REME also joined 104th Logistic Support Bde, while 105th Battalion REME was disbanded. Soon after, 1st and 3rd Regiments RMP joined the brigade from 1st Military Police Brigade.
Under the Future Soldier changes, the brigade will be completely reorganised and almost halved in size with just seven units. The brigade will be redesignated as 101st Operational Sustainment Brigade and remain under 3rd (UK) Division. The following moves will take place: 6th Regiment RLC will move to 7th Light Mechanised BCT; 154th (Scottish) Regiment RLC and 102nd Battalion REME to 4th Light BCT; 4th Regiment RLC and 4th Battalion REME to 12th Armoured BCT; 1st Regiment RLC, 3rd Battalion REME, and 1st Medical Regiment RAMC to 20th Armoured BCT; and 6th Battalion REME in 1st Deep Recce Strike BCT. 3rd Regiment RLC will disband.
6th (United Kingdom) Division was formed on 1 August 2019 during the Field Army reorganisation at the same time, after an eight year hiatus from service. The division initially comprised five brigades: 1st (United Kingdom) Signal Brigade, 11th Signal Brigade & Headquarters West Midlands, 1st Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Brigade, 77th Brigade, and Specialised Infantry Group.[128] The division's task was to oversee all specialist "grey zone" units.[129][130]
Following a small reorganisation in October 2020 of the Field Army, 11th Signal Brigade was transferred to the 3rd (UK) Division.[131]
Under the Future Soldier programme, the division will be more than halved in size to contain just two brigades: Army Special Operations Brigade (re-designation of the Specialised Infantry Group) and the expanded 77th Brigade.
Under the Army 2020 programme, the 1st (UK) Signal Brigade comprised four units: 299 Signal Squadron (Special Communications) in Bletchley, 22nd Signal Regiment in Stafford, 30th Signal Regiment in Bramcote, and the ARRC Support Battalion in Innsworth.
Under the Army 2020 Refine three reserve units joined the brigade: 32nd Signal Regiment with its HQ in Glasgow and 39th Signal Regiment (The Skinners) with its HQ in Bristol, both of which were part of the disbanded 2nd Signal Group of 11th Signal Brigade & HQ West Midlands, and finally the ARRC Military Police Battalion based in Winchester. As part of the 2019 Field Army reorganisation, 6th UK Division was established and the brigade moved from the disbanded Force Troops Command to the division.
Under the Future Soldier plan, the brigade will move under the direct command of Allied Rapid Reaction Corps and expand in size. 10th Signal Regiment in Corsham and 16th Signal Regiment in Stafford will move from 11th Signal Brigade to the brigade by 2023, while the ARRC Support Battalion was re-designated as the Gurkha ARRC Support Battalion.
Under the Army 2020 programme, the 1st Military Intelligence Brigade was more than doubled in size and expanded into the 1st Intelligence and Surveillance Brigade with the same structure as below minus 13th Signal Regiment. In addition to the below units, initially 104th Regiment Royal Artillery was roled as a Mini UAS regiment and part of the brigade, headquartered in Newport, Wales along with 47th Regiment Royal Artillery armed with the watchkeeper UAV and based in Larkhill.
Under the Army 2020 Refine, 32nd Regiment Royal Artillery was slated to disband, however this was later reversed and the regiment remained in its role and under the brigade. By 2017, the brigade was re-designated as 1st Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Brigade. Lastly, 104th Regiment Royal Artillery was moved under 1st Artillery Brigade and re-roled as a light gun regiment.
In June 2020, 13th Signal Regiment was formed at Blandford Camp as a dedicated cyber unit, and consequently joined the brigade. Later in 2020, 47th Regiment Royal Artillery was moved under the new formed 1st Aviation Brigade in the same role, but received Army Air Corps blue berets, signifying their new role.
Under the Future Soldier changes, the brigade will be reduced to a Colonel's command and consequently completed reorganised and re-designated as the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group under Field Army Troops. The following units will remain as part of the group: 32nd Regiment Royal Artillery and 47th Regiment Royal Artillery (never completed its move to 1st Aviation Brigade), 2nd Military Intelligence Battalion (to become hybrid by October 2023), 3rd Military Intelligence Battalion, Specialist Group Military Intelligence, and the Land Intelligence Fusion Centre. Other than the above listed units, all others will move to other commands: 1st & 5th Military Intelligence Battalions under direct command of 1st (UK) Division, 5th Regiment Royal Artillery to 1st Deep Recce Strike Brigade Combat Team (to be established in summer 2022 by merger of 1st Armoured Infantry Brigade and 1st Artillery Brigade), 4th & 7th Military Intelligence Battalions under direct command of 1st (UK) Division, 6th Military Intelligence Battalion to become Hybrid by August 2023 and Honourable Artillery Company move to 77th Brigade. Lastly, 13th and 14th Signal Regiments will join the newly established Cyber and Electro Magnetic Activities Effects Group under Field Army Troops.
The Specialised Infantry Group was established in 2017 following the Army 2020 Refine, and comprised four reduced-size infantry battalions, all of which had been light infantry units (4 RIFLES was mechanised). In 2020, the 3rd Battalion, Royal Gurkha Rifles was formed and moved under the group, however due to poor recruitment this formation was cancelled by mid-2021.
Under the Future Soldier changes, the group will become a special operations role formation working alongside special forces known as the Army Special Operations Brigade. On 1 December 2021, the four specialised infantry battalions were redesignated as 1st through the 4th Battalions of the Ranger Regiment. The Royal Gurkha Rifles are due to form four companies, each attached to a ranger battalion. 255 (Bahrain) Signal Squadron will move under direct control of the brigade by 2023 from 15th Signal Regiment.
Under the Army 2020 programme, the 77th Brigade was initially known as the Security Assistance Group and comprised three 'groups', all company sized: hybrid Military Stabilisation Group and 15th Psychological Operations Group both in Hermitage, and the all reserve Media Operations Group in Kingston upon Thames.
Under the Army 2020 Refine, the Security Assistance Group was expanded from a Colonel's command to that of a brigadier and took the specialist designation of 77th Brigade initially organised into separate units, then Columns during 2015, and finally groups from 2017. The Digital Operations Group and Outreach Group were all new battalion-sized units, while the Media Operations Group became the Operational Media and Communications Group, the Military Stabilisation Group became the Task Group, and 15 Psych Ops Group became the Defence Cultural Specialist Unit and provided elements to the new Outreach Group. At the same time, the Staff Corps was moved under the control of the brigade, previously independent under 8th Engineer Brigade.
As part of the Future Soldier changes, 77th Brigade will be reorganised with the following units under its command by mid-2023: Staff Corps, Deployed Information Activities Group (merger of the Task Group and Digital Operations Group), Stand-off Information Activities Group (merger of the Operational Media and Communications Group and Outreach Group), and the hybrid 6th Military Intelligence Battalion and Honourable Artillery Company both from 1st ISR Brigade. The Defence Cultural Specialist Unit's future role is unknown.
Commander Home Command, is also the Standing Joint Commander (UK) for responsible for the planning and execution of civil contingency operations within the UK landmass and territorial waters.[208][209]
London District encompassing Greater London and the two barracks in Windsor belonging to the Household Division.
Under the Army 2020 programme, Regional Command established as the successor to Support Command in 2015 and oversaw all garrisons and regional points of command (reductions of the old regional brigades).
Regional Command at Aldershot is commanded by a Major-General. It is the Army's HQ for the UK, Nepal and Brunei, administering Army bases in the UK and providing civil engagement. All regional points are controlled by their respective brigade, but all report to regional command (formerly Support Command).[220][221]
Headquarters North East encompassing the counties of Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Durham, North Riding of Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, and South Yorkshire.
Headquarters East overseeing the counties of Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and Essex.
Headquarters South East overseeing the counties of Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Channel Islands, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and the Royal County of Berkshire.
Under the Army 2020 programme, 38th (Irish) Brigade move from 2nd Division to 1st (UK) Division and was reorganised into an infantry brigade with three units: Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland, 2nd Battalion The Rifles, and 7th Battalion, The Rifles all in the light infantry role.
However, under the Army 2020 Refine, the brigade was completely reorganised. The following changes occurred: Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland moved to the Specialised Infantry Group; 1st Battalion, Royal Anglian Regiment joined from 7th Infantry Brigade as Light Mechanised Infantry; 7th Battalion, The Rifles joined 20th Armoured Infantry Brigade; and the 8th Battalion, The Rifles was formed and joined the brigade in 2018 as light infantry.
Under the 2019 Field Army reorganisations, the brigade dropped its infantry commitments with the units moving to other commands: 2nd and 8th Battalions, The Rifles joining 51st Infantry Brigade, and 1st Battalion, Royal Anglian Regiment re-joining 7th Infantry Brigade.
No changes to the brigade will occur under the Future Soldier changes, it will remain as the regional point of command for Ulster.
Under the Army 2020 programme, the 42nd (North West) Brigade left 2nd Division to join the 1st (UK) Division and was renamed as the 42nd Infantry Brigade and Headquarters North West. The brigade's initial structure was as follows: 2nd & 4th Battalions, Mercian Regiment and 2nd & 4th Battalions, Duke of Lancaster's Regiment all organised as light infantry.
Under the Army 2020 Refine changes, some unit shuffling occurred: 2nd Battalion, Duke of Lancaster's Regiment joined the Specialised Infantry Group; 2nd Battalion, Mercian Regiment moved to Cyprus; 4th Battalion, Mercian Regiment joined the 12th Armoured Infantry Brigade; in 2018 the 1st Battalion, Duke of Lancaster's Regiment join the brigade after returning from Cyprus.
After the 2019 Field Army reorganisations, the brigade was reduced to a Colonel's command as 'Headquarters North West' and its units moved to other commands: 1st and 4th Battalions, Duke of Lancaster's Regiment joined 4th Infantry Brigade.
Following the Future Soldier changes, the headquarters will merge with Headquarters North East to form the single Headquarters North.
Headquarters South West encompassing Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, the City and County of Bristol, and the Channel Islands (including the Isles of Scilly).
Headquarters Scotland encompassing Scotland.
Headquarters West Midlands encompassing the counties of Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, West Midlands, Derbyshire, and Shropshire.
160th (Welsh) Brigade overseeing Wales.
In 2021, the Army Cadet Force comprised the Combined Cadet Force (Army) and the Army Cadet Force (ACF), and contained 11,000 adult volunteers and 65,000 cadets in 2,000 different schools, cadet huts, and community centres. According to a 2012 official document by the Ministry of Defence, the ACF counties and training teams report to the regional brigades. Each Cadet Training Team (CTT) report to the brigade chief of staff, in turn reporting to each regional brigade. This was further confirmed in the 2017 ACF regulations.[319][320]
Army Recruiting and Initial Training Command was established on 1 April 2018.[326] The Commander of this formation is a 2-star Major General.[327]
Commandant Sandhurst is a Major-General.[339] The day to day running of the Academy is devolved to a brigadier, who is titled Commander Sandhurst Group and responsible for:
Commander, Allied Rapid Reaction Corps is a three-start Lieutenant General and reports to Army Headquarters.
The Royal Armoured Corps (RAC) provides the armour capability of the British Army. It combines speed, momentum, firepower and reconnaissance capabilities with armoured fighting vehicles such as the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank and Jackal Fighting Vehicle. In the RAC, the term 'Regimental Headquarters' is used for each battalion sized 'regiment's' headquarters, while the term 'Home Headquarters' is used for each regiment's recruiting regimental headquarters.
The Infantry is the largest branch of the Army – around a quarter of its strength. As of March 2021, the infantry branch consists of 18 regiments, which together have 33 regular battalions and 16 reserve battalions.[351] All divisional and regimental headquarters fall under the OPCON of Headquarters Infantry.[352][353]
The Army Air Corps (AAC) is the combat aviation army of the British Army.[364]
In 2019 the Corps of Army Music was restructured with a number of bands being co-located and re-named.[367] In a process of 'Military Music Optimization', the regular Army band laydown was adjusted to enable several smaller bands to train and perform as larger bands for more significant Army events: 'Co-locating 11 of the smaller bands in three major garrisons and Sandhurst has increased the flexibility of CAMUS to perform at a huge breadth of events without compromising any of the traditional bands that have been performing for many years'.[368]
All bands of the Regular Army fall under the OPCON of the Royal Corps of Army Music, while the Army Reserve bands fall under the guise of their local unit.[352]