Modern equipment of the British Army

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This article is about weapons and equipment. For details of uniforms and orders of dress, see British Army Uniform.
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This is a list of some of the equipment currently in use by the British Army.

Contents

[edit] Small Arms & Support Weapons

v • d • e
Modern (post Korean War) UK infantry weapons
Side-arms (Self-loading Pistols)
Rifles, Carbines, & LSWs
Sniper rifles
L42/A1 • L96/A1 • L115A1 • L82A1 • AW50F
Submachine guns
Shotguns
Machine-guns & other larger weapons
Modern cartridges used

[edit] P226 Sig-Sauer Pistol (L105A1)

The P226 Sig-Sauer Pistol (L105A1) is currently a limited issue sidearm although it is a contender in the ongoing competition to find a replacement for the L9A1.

[edit] Browning Pistol (L9A1)

The Browning High Power Pistol (L9A1) is the general issue sidearm.

[edit] Heckler & Koch MP5 Submachine Gun (L92A1)

Issue limited to special forces and task forces involved in special operations. It is a German made submachine gun, capable of a rate of fire of 950 rounds a minute and firing 9mm Parabellum ammunition.

[edit] Heckler & Koch 53 Assault Rifle (L101A1)

Heckler & Koch 53 Assault Rifle (L101A1) is limited to special forces and task forces involved in special operations, such as close-protection teams.

[edit] SA80 Rifle (L85A2)

Main article: SA80

The standard issue rifle is now the L85A2, known popularly as the SA80. This is an enhanced variant of the original L85A1 version with improvements to the working parts (cocking handle, firing pin etc.), gas parts and magazines. The L85A2 is regarded by many as the most reliable standard rifle in service, a stark contrast to both the L1A1 and especially the vilified L85A1, which was dropped from NATO's list of approved weapons due to its unreliability with the NATO STANAG 5.56mm round. During the 2003 International shooting meet at Bisley, the British Army team won after firing over 62,000 rounds with no stoppages. During active service, the L85A2 is commonly fitted with a SUSAT 4x optical sight, and can also be fitted with a 40 mm L17A2 Under-slung Grenade Launcher (UGL), and a LLM01 laser aiming and torch attachment. It is fed by a 30-round magazine.

[edit] Light Support Weapon (L86A2)

The L86A2 LSW (Light Support Weapon) is another weapon in the SA80 family. It has a longer, heavier barrel, an extra pistol grip and a bipod, providing greater long range firepower and accuracy compared to the L85 rifle. The L86 had a very similar A2 upgrade to the L85 also making it a much improved reliable rifle. All weapons within the SA80 family are 5.56 mm NATO calibre and like the L85 rifle it is fed by a 30 round magazine. The LSW is now used in the role of a Designated Marksmen Rifle (DMR).[citation needed]

[edit] MINIMI Light Machine Gun (L108A1/L110A1)

The MINIMI light machine gun is issued to the infantry and some other units to improve their firepower over that provided by the L85 and L86. It is a 5.56 mm calibre belt-fed gun, used primarily with its bipod. Although it is not as accurate as the Light Support Weapon (above), the MINIMI is belt-fed (the belt is normally held in a box magazine) so it can provide a level of sustained firepower not possible with the LSW with its 30 round magazine. The L110A1 is the "paratrooper" version, equipped with a shortened barrel and a folding stock and is now issued one per four man infantry fireteam. The L108A1 is the basic MINIMI light machine gun which was originally issued to special forces units before the 1991 Gulf War, it was never on general issue to line infantry units.

[edit] General Purpose Machine Gun (L7A2)

Main article: L7 (machine gun)

The L7 GPMG (General Purpose Machine Gun) is the UK's version of the FN MAG, often referred to as a 'gympy', it can be fired from a bipod or tripod. It is used as a suppression weapon with a range of 800 m and as an accurate sustained fire platform when mounted on a tripod, increasing its range to 1,800 m. It is a 7.62 mm NATO calibre weapon. Versions of this weapon are also mounted on pedestal mounts on various vehicles, boats and helicopters and mounted as coaxial armament in armoured vehicles. Manufactured under license by Manroy Engineering.

[edit] Heavy Machine Gun (L2A1)

The heavy machine gun of the British Army is a version of the M2 Browning machine gun. It is a 12.7-mm calibre weapon using the .50 BMG round. Can be mounted on a tripod or on pedestal mounts on vehicles. Manufactured under license by Manroy Engineering.

[edit] Sniper rifles

  • 7.62 mm L96A1 produced by Accuracy International. It provides the capability for a first-round hit at 600 m and harassing fire out to 1100 m. It is usually used with a x12 sight.
  • Some units are issued the L115A1 Long Range Rifle produced by Accuracy International. It uses an 8.59 mm (.338 Lapua) bullet.
  • The Accuracy International AW50F large calibre anti-material rifle has been acquired in limited numbers to equip EOD units to destroy unexploded munitions from a safe distance. It is also available to snipers as a 'stand-off' weapon to deal with targets such as radar installations, light vehicles etc. Although not a British Army unit, Royal Marine snipers have used the rifle to destroy outboard motors on drug running boats from helicopters. They were also able to achieve first round kills at 900m+ during the invasion of Iraq in 2003. It is manufactured by Accuracy International in the UK, although the barrel is made by Madco in Queensland, Australia.

[edit] 51 mm mortar

Main article: L9A1 51 mm Light Mortar

The 51 mm mortar is a light mortar which can be carried and fired by one man. Smoke, illuminating and high explosive bombs are available. The 51 mm mortar, which replaced the 2 inch mortar was due to be phased out by the use of the newer 40 mm AG36 UGL (Underslung Grenade Launcher) mounted on the SA-80. However operational experience has led to the decision to replace it with a 60mm Mortar.

[edit] 81 mm mortar

Main article: L16 81mm Mortar

The L16A2 81-mm mortar is a medium mortar which is operated by a three man team. It is often vehicle-borne, and in mechanised infantry battalions is mounted and fired from an FV432 vehicle. The Royal Marines use the Swedish Hagglunds BV206 Mortar variant as their mortar mounted vehicle.

[edit] LAW 80

The LAW 80 is a man-portable (1 man) anti tank weapon that fires a 94 mm HEAT rocket out to 500 metres. Replaced by the NLAW (Next Generation Anti-tank Weapon).

[edit] ILAW (AT4)

An interim replacement/supplement for LAW 80 until NLAW is in service. 84 mm, disposable, one-man-portable HEAT rocket system, manufactured by Saab Bofors Dynamics. Its maximum effective range is 300 metres.

[edit] NLAW (MBT LAW)

The replacement for the LAW 80. Manufactured by Saab Bofors Dynamics. Its effective range is between 20 and 600 metres.

[edit] Anti-Structures Munition

The Anti-Structures Munition is a man-portable infantry weapon specifically designed to defeat hardened structures. The contract for development of the system was awarded to Dynamit Nobel Defence in 2006. Expected in-service date sometime in 2010.

[edit] FGM-148 Javelin ATGM (Anti-Tank Guided Missile) Launcher

Currently being procured as the replacement for the Milan system. It fires a missile out to ~2500 m and is capable of defeating explosive-reactive armour with a tandem HEAT warhead. It is currently thought that the Javelin is capable of penetrating most armoured vehicles armour.

[edit] Mk. 6 Helmet

The standard Nylon Fiber "Hard hat" (Helmet) of the British Army, now being replaced by the Mk6A helmet. [1]

[edit] Mk. 76 paratrooper helmet

[edit] Osprey body armour

Many troops in Iraq and Afghanistan are now being issued with the new Osprey body armour. This provides a much better protection than previous body armour. It also allows for the attachment of various webbing pouches (such as PLCE or the US MOLLE).

[edit] Armoured vehicles

[edit] FV4034 Challenger 2 MBT

The United Kingdom placed orders for 127 Vickers Challenger 2 tanks in 1991 and an additional 259 in 1994. The Challenger 2 is equipped with a 120 mm rifled tank gun produced by BAE Systems' Royal Ordnance.

[edit] FV510 Warrior IFV

Main article: Warrior Tracked Armoured Vehicle

The Warrior family are tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicles.

[edit] CVR(T) Class

Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) class of armoured vehicles

The following vehicles are based on a, larger modernised version of the CVR(T) - the Stormer.

  • Shielder - mine layer
  • Stormer HVM - Short Range Air defence (with Starstreak High Velocity Missiles).

[edit] Saxon APC

Wheeled armoured personnel carrier. To be replaced by the Future Rapid Effect System.

[edit] FV430 series

The FV430 series serve as armoured personnel carriers and in specialist battlefield roles. Some FV432 APCs have been heavily upgraded and named Bulldog.

  • Command and Control
  • Ambulance
  • Cargo carrier
  • Recovery vehicle
  • Electronic Communications Platform
  • Mortar platform
  • Mortar Location Radar Platform

[edit] Mine-protected APCs

[edit] Artillery and Air Defence

[edit] MLRS

The Lockheed M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System is a self-propelled artillery system with a range in excess of 30 km. The MLRS saw its combat debut in the 1991 Gulf War. This platform is capable of firing 12 cluster bomb units with the capacity to annihilate a kilometer square, anti tank mines also in 12 cluster bomb units, 12 anti-armour missiles or 2 tactical nuclear warheads.

[edit] AS-90

The AS-90 is a 155-mm self-propelled howitzer. It has seen combat service against Iraq in 2003. The firing device is capable of containg 2 shells for firing in quick succession before reloading is required.

[edit] L118 Light Gun

The L118 is a 105-mm towed gun-howitzer. It is primarily used by the lighter units in the British Army and the Royal Marines.

[edit] Rapier FSC (Field Standard C)

The MBDA Rapier is the UK's primary battlefield air defence system and has been widely deployed since its first operational use in the Falklands War.

[edit] Starstreak HVM (High Velocity Missile)

Starstreak is an anti-aircraft missile which can be launched either by a single soldier or from a launcher mounted on a vehicle. It is the British equivalent of the FIM-92 Stinger.

[edit] Aircraft

[edit] Westland Apache AH.Mk.1

The Westland Apache AH.Mk.1 is a licence built modified version of the Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow and will replace the Lynx AH.Mk.7 in the anti-tank role. Carrying a 30mm Cannon and 16 hell-fires or 72 rockets or a combination of the two, this platform is the first to incorporate automatic prioritisation of the 100 closest targets and the unique "fire and forget." Once the gunner has fired he can simply move attention onto the next target.

[edit] Bell 212

The Bell 212 is used by the Army flight in Brunei as a utility and transport helicopter. A development of the famous Huey series of military helicopters, the 212 has a crew of two and can carry up to 12 troops.

[edit] Westland Gazelle AH.Mk.1

The Westland Gazelle helicopter is a light helicopter primarily used for battlefield scouting and control of artillery and aircraft.

[edit] Westland Lynx

The Westland Lynx performs various roles in Army service; including tactical transport, armed escort, reconnaissance and evacuation.

The anti-tank warfare (with eight TOW missiles) roll was suspended in December 2005, after the introduction of the Westland Apache

[edit] Britten-Norman Defender

The Britten-Norman Defender [2] is a light aircraft used for airborne reconnaissance and command.

[edit] B (Unarmoured) Vehicles

[edit] Land Rover

Numerous variants including:

  • Land Rover Wolf Truck Utility Light and Medium (Higher Specification) (designated TUL-HS and TUM-HS)
  • Land Rover Defender Truck Utility Light and Medium (designated TUL and TUM)
  • Battlefield Ambulance - using Land Rover Defender 127" chassis

[edit] Jackal

This is the new weapons platform being rolled out in 2008. It is set to replace the old Landrover WMIK (Weapons Mounted Installation Kit). It is an all-terain 4x4 that is designed to give the crew of 3 men a good mix of mobility and firepower.

[edit] DROPS

The Demountable Rack Offload and Pickup System is a standard pallet and rack system used by the British Army.

  • Leyland Medium Mobility Load Carrier
  • Foden Trucks EKF 6 x 6 Improved Medium Mobility Load Carrier

[edit] High-Mobility Vehicles

[edit] Heavy Transport

[edit] Communications Equipment

[edit] BOWMAN

Bowman is the new tactical C4I system being rolled out to British forces to replace the Clansman.

[edit] Landing Craft & Assault Boats

RCL L106 at Akrotiri, Cyprus
RCL L106 at Akrotiri, Cyprus

[edit] CRBN Defence Equipment

  • Fuchs Nuclear and Chemical Reconnaissance and Survey Vehicle
  • Nerve Agent Immobilised Enzyme Alarm and Detector-Level 3 (NAIAD)
  • Chemical Agent Detector (CAD)
  • Prototype Biological Detection System (PBDS)
  • Integrated Biological Detection System (IBDS)
  • Multi-Purpose Decontamination System (MPDS)

[edit] Future equipment

[edit] Future Integrated Soldier Technology

Future Integrated Soldier Technology is a suite of equipment to enhance infantrymen's effectiveness as part of the Future Soldier programme.

[edit] Future Rapid Effect System

The Future Rapid Effect System is a planned family of medium-weight armoured vehicles intended to replace Saxon, FV432 and CVR(T) series of vehicles.

On the 8 May 2008 The General Dynamics (GD) Piranha V, light armoured vehicle was proivisionaly selected ahead of Artec's Boxer and Nexter's VBCI[3]

[edit] Panther

The Panther Command and Liaison Vehicle is a light armoured vehicle intended for use in reconnaissance and utility tasks.

[edit] Watchkeeper

Watchkeeper is a future UAV system for long-term surveillance and reconnaissance tasks.

[edit] Uniform

Main article: British Army Uniform

A complete list of everything a soldier is issued for uniform is known as his "1157" derived from the document number of the book in which uniform items on issue to an individual are recorded.

[edit] References

  1. ^ House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 22 Jan 2007 (pt 0024)
  2. ^ Britten Norman Islander / Defender. “In 2003, as UK forces began attempting to stabilise the situation in Iraq, an urgent operational requirement was raised for the purchase of three Defenders under a £10 million contract”
  3. ^ Janes.

[edit] External links