List of equipment of the British Army

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Modern equipment of the British Army is a list of the equipment currently in use with the British Army. It includes small arms, combat vehicles, aircraft, watercraft, artillery and transport vehicles. The primary task of the British Army is to help defend the interests of the United Kingdom, but it can also serve as part of a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) force, or a United Nations (UN) or any other multi-national force. To meet its commitments, the equipment of the army is constantly updated and modified. To meet any shortage or requirement on operations, the army can request equipment under an Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR), which supplements planned equipment programmes.^[1]

Infantry section equipment

The infantry section normally has two four-man infantry fire teams. On operations, each fire team is usually equipped with the following:^[2]

Weapons

• L85A2 rifle
• L85A2 rifle with L123A2 UGL (underslung grenade launcher)
• L29A1 DMR rifle or 1 × L86A2 Light Support Weapon (LSW)
• L110A2 Minimi light machine gun
• AT4 84mm anti-tank weapon
• L72A9 light anti-structure munition
• L84 White phosphorus smoke grenades
• L109A1 High explosive grenades
• L132A1 Smoke grenades

Vision systems

• Sight Unit Small Arms, Trilux (SUSAT) or SpecterOS^[3] Lightweight Day Sights (LDS)
• Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (ACOG) to be used with the L29A1 DMR rifle
• Image intensified Common Weapon Sights
• Laser Light Module Vario Ray Adaptive Target Acquisition Modules^[4]
• TAM-14 small Thermal Imaging System
• Head mounted Night Vision System (HNVS), based on the American AN/PVS-14.^[5]
• VIPER 2+ thermal imaging weapon sights
• Commander's target locating systems (CTLS)

Communications equipment

• Personal Role Radio (PRR) - one issued to each member.^[6]
• Bowman secure VHF Radio

Weapons

Pistols

Name	Origin	Type	Cartridge	Image	Details
L105A1 & L106A1, L107A1, L117A1	Germany / Switzerland	Semi-automatic pistol	9×19mm		Variants of the SIG Sauer P226 were purchased as an interim replacement for the L9A1 as an Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) for use in Afghanistan. Although purchased as an interim weapon, they will continue to be used until the end of their life cycles.[7]
L131A1	Austria	Semi-automatic pistol	9×19mm		Glock 17 adopted as new standard issue pistol, replacing the L9A1 'Browning' and, eventually, the SIG Sauer. Around 25,000 have been purchased.[8]

Assault, battle rifles

Name	Origin	Type	Cartridge	Image	Details
L85A2 L22A2	UK	Assault rifle Carbine	5.56×45mm		The L85A2 (IW) is the standard assault rifle.[9] It can be fitted with SUSAT, ACOG, Elcan Specter OS 4X or Thermal Viper 2 sights. A LLM-Vario Ray laser aiming module can be attached.[4] Other attachments include the L123A1 Underslung Grenade Launcher (UGL), which is complemented by the new 'Rapid Acquisition Aiming Module' for better accuracy and range.[10] The L22A2 is a shortened carbine used primarily by vehicle and helicopter crews for self-defence.
L86A2	UK	Light support weapon	5.56×45mm		The L86A2 (LSW) is the standard light support weapon. It features a longer barrel, a bipod and a shoulder strap for greater range and accuracy. Many parts are interchangeable with the SA80, including the same magazine. The LSW is capable of a high rate of accurate rapid fire at ranges up to 1,000 meters.[11] It is currently being upgraded with picatinny rails and a new muzzle, stock and bipod.
L119A1, L119A2[12]	Canada	Assault rifle	5.56×45mm		The weapon is used by the pathfinder group of the Parachute Regiment, UKSF, the Royal Military Police Close Protection Unit and 43 Commando Royal Marines.[13] Attachments include the L17A1.[14] It has been upgraded from the A1 to the A2 variant.[12]
L29A1[15]	US	Sharpshooter rifle	7.62×51mm		The primary designated marksman rifle. It is equipped with an ACOG optical sight for long-range engagements.[16] At least 1,500 rifles had been delivered by May 2013.[17] The weapon is also in service as the L129A1 SSW, with 12x Schmidt & Bender sights and a suppressor [18], to be used by the second man in each sniper team.
HK417	Germany	Sharpshooter rifle	7.62×51mm		Battle rifle used by the Royal Military Police Close Protection Unit and UKSF[19]

Shotguns

Name	Origin	Type	Cartridge	Image	Details
L128A1	Italy	Semi-automatic shotgun	12-gauge		Has a capacity of eight rounds and a maximum effective range of 140 m (460 ft) for solid shot and 40 m (130 ft) for buckshot.[20]
L74A1	US	Pump-action shotgun	12-gauge		Used by UKSF as a breaching shotgun.[21]

Sniper and anti-material rifles

Name	Origin	Type	Cartridge	Image	Details
L118A1 L118A1 AWC	UK	Sniper rifle	7.62×51mm		Improved variant of the L96 that entered service in 1985. The rifle has an effective range of around 800 meters and is designed to perform in both desert and arctic conditions. In recent years, the L118A1 has largely been replaced in front-line service by the L129A1 and the L115A3. The L118A1 AWC is used exclusively by the SAS.[22] The weapon is compact, with a folding stock and a suppressor. It can be disassembled into a small suitcase for covert operations.
L115A3	UK	Sniper rifle	.338 Lapua Magnum		Primary sniper rifle. It is equipped with a 25x scope, a suppressor, a folding stock, and a five-round magazine. The .338 Lapua Magnum "is heavier than the 7.62mm round of the L118A1, and is less likely to be deflected by wind over extremely long ranges". The effective range of the L115A3 is in excess of 1,100 m (3,600 ft).[23] Corporal of Horse Craig Harrison currently holds the record for the longest recorded sniper shot in history at 2,475 meters (2,707 yd) with this rifle.
L121A1	UK	Anti-material rifle	.50 BMG		The L121A1 (AW50F) is intended to engage a variety of targets, including radar installations, light vehicles (including light armoured vehicles), field fortifications, boats and ammunition dumps. The standard ammunition combines a penetrator with high-explosive and incendiary effects in a single round. It is used by the SAS.[24]
L135A1 LRPAS	US	Anti-material rifle	.50 BMG		Recoil-operated, semi-automatic anti-material rifle. The British Army uses the M82A1UK known in service as the L135A1 Long Range Precision Anti Structure rifle.[25]

Submachine guns

Name	Origin	Type	Cartridge	Image	Details
L91A1 (MP5A3) L92A1 (MP5SD3) L80A1 (MP5K) L90A1 (MP5KA1)	Germany	Submachine gun	9mm		Used by UKSF and the Royal Military Police Close Protection Unit.[26] The weapon comes in multiple variants, from the standard L91A1 and the suppressed L92A1 (pictured), to the more easily concealable L80A1 and L90A1, which are stockless and have vertical foregrips.

Machine guns

Name	Origin	Type	Cartridge	Image	Details
L108A1 L110A2 L110A3 L130A1	Belgium	Light machine gun	5.56mm 7.62mm		Standard "FN Minimi" variant and the British Army's designated light machine gun. The weapon is belt-fed and equipped with a bipod. The L110A2 and L110A3 are known as the "FN Minimi Para" and are equipped with a shortened barrel and a collapsible stock, with one issued per four man infantry fireteam.[27] The L130A1 is the latest version of the weapon to enter front-line service. It is designed to fire 7.62mm rounds.[28] The British Army is reviewing whether to retain the Minimi in dismounted close combat infantry platoons.[29]
L7A2	Belgium	General-purpose machine gun	7.62mm		British Army version of the Belgian FN MAG.[30] The L7 was produced under licence by Royal Ordnance, but is now produced for the British Army by Heckler and Koch.
L111A1	US / UK	Heavy machine gun	.50 BMG (12.7 mm)		Produced under licence in the UK by Manroy Engineering[31] as the M2 HMG QCB, The L111A1 is the British Army version of the American M2 Browning. It can be attached to both armoured vehicles and tripods.[32]
L134A1	Germany	Grenade machine gun	40mm		Has a 320rpm rate of fire and an effective range of 1,500 m (4,900 ft)-2,000 m (6,600 ft). It is used for the suppression of enemy infantry and can be mounted on both armoured vehicles and tripods.[33]

Mortars

Name	Origin	Type	Calibre	Image	Details
M6-895	Austria	Mortar	60mm		Procured as an UOR. It can be fired in both the direct and indirect roles at a rate of 1–12 rounds a minute and can also be operated in the hand-held mode. Around 1,900 of these 60mm mortars were purchased as a UOR to replace the older 51mm Mortar that served on operations.[34]
L16A2	UK / Canada	Mortar	81mm		Operated by a three-man team. It is often vehicle-borne; in mechanised infantry battalions it is mounted and fired from an FV432 vehicle.[35] Around 470 are in service.[36]

Anti-armour, structure and air

Name	Origin	Type	Warhead	Image	Details
MBT LAW	Sweden / UK	Anti-tank weapon	150mm		Disposable, man-portable, short range fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile system. It is designed to "knock out any main battle tank in just one shot by striking it from above".[37]
FGM-148 Javelin	US	Anti-tank weapon	127mm		Man-portable medium range anti-tank missile system. It fires a High Explosive Anti Tank (HEAT) warhead and is capable of penetrating explosive-reactive armour.[38]
ILAW	Sweden	Anti-tank weapon	84mm		Small quantities of AT4 CS HP projectiles have been purchased.[39]
L2A1 ASM	Israel	Anti-structure weapon	90mm		Disposable, man-portable guided anti-structure weapon. It is designed to destroy hardened structures, such as bunkers, buildings and other fixed positions.[40]
Starstreak MANPAD	UK	Anti-air weapon	22mm x 3		Alongside the LML and Stormer mounted versions, the British Armed Forces also possess the high speed Starstreak Missile on a shoulder mounted and man portable launcher. This can also be used as a surface attack weapon, capable of penetrating the frontal armour of even IFVs.[41]

Grenades and mines

Name	Origin	Type	Detonation	Image	Details
L109A1	Switzerland	Frag grenade	Fuse		British version of the Swiss HG 85 Grenade. It differs from the original in that it has a matte black safety clip similar to the American M67 grenade. It has a 3-4 second fuse, contains 155g of high explosive and has a lethal range of 10 m (33 ft).
M18 Claymore mine	United States	Anti-personnel mine	Remote		Used for specialist and defensive purposes. It has seen use in Afghanistan. It will be replaced with the Fixed Directional Fragmentation Weapon (FDFW), a Finnish designed mine that has yet to be formally identified.[42]
L9A8 Bar Mine	UK	Anti-tank mine	Pressure		Primary anti-tank mine. During the Gulf War, it was found to be highly resistant to mine ploughs, simply rotating under it to detonate below the vehicle, disabling some M60 tanks of the USMC after Iraq captured L9s from the Kuwaiti Army.[43]

Personal equipment

Protective equipment

The standard helmet in service is the Mk.7, which replaced the older Mk 6 helmet. The Mk.7 helmet is equipped with a new harness that keeps the helmet more stable on the head when night vision equipment is fitted. It is also better integrated with new weapon sights, making it easier to use in a variety of fighting positions.

Since 2006, troops in Afghanistan (and until 2009 Iraq), have been issued with Osprey body armour. This has provided much better protection than previous body armour systems. The new Mk 4 'Osprey Assault' body armour, which replaced the older Osprey vests, provides the same ballistic protection, while improving the comfort of personnel on operations in Afghanistan. It has all the stopping power of the previous body armour, but is closer fitting, less bulky and is easier to move in. It is specifically developed to meet the British Army's requirements, using cutting edge materials and manufacturing technology.^[44]

Both the Mk 7 helmet and the Osprey armour are slated to be replaced by the Virtus system. The Virtus vest is even closer fitting and lighter than the Opsrey Mk 4, and features a quick-release mechanism to aid safe extraction from hazardous situations such as burning vehicles, and a dynamic weight distribution system which, when linked to a user's waist belt, aids in spreading the load of the armour and a bergen or other backpack across the back, shoulders, and hips. The Virtus helmet provides increased blunt impact protection, is specially shaped to allow effective weapon usage while in a prone position, and features a permanent night vision mount and a scalable counterweight attached to the helmet’s rear in order to ease strain on the user’s neck.^[45]

In January 2015, over 300,000 General Service Respirators had been delivered to replace the in-service S10 respirator.^[46] These respirators are also used by the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

Multi-Terrain Pattern

The Multi-Terrain Pattern is designed and intended to perform consistently across a wide range of environments. A wide range of camouflage colours were trialled in Britain, Cyprus, Kenya and Afghanistan, ultimately the Crye's "Multicam" pattern was determined to be the best performing, across the widest range of environments (by a significant margin) and was subsequently selected as the basis for the new British MTP camouflage, and combined with the existing British DPM pattern. The MTP pattern itself was not trialled against other patterns and its adoption was based solely on its similarity to the original Crye Multicam pattern.^[47]

Boots

In 2012 the MOD purchased a newly designed range of brown combat boots from Haix,^[48] Alt-Berg,^[49] and other manufacturers for the Army, Royal Navy and RAF to replace the black and desert combat footwear previously worn. Five different boots, developed to match the Multi-Terrain Pattern uniform, are available to Armed Forces personnel depending on where they are based and what role they are in. Each of the five boot types comes in two different styles, with personnel being able to wear the particular style they find most comfortable; the boots have also been designed with different width fittings for the first time to take account of the different shapes of men and women's feet. Black boots have been retained for wear with most non-camouflage uniforms as well as units on parade in full dress uniform, such as regiments performing ceremonial duties in central London.^[50][51]

• Desert Combat – worn by dismounted troops conducting medium to high levels of activity in desert type environments with temperatures exceeding 40 °C
• Desert Patrol – worn by drivers/armoured troops conducting lower levels of activity in desert type environments exceeding 40 °C
• Temperate Combat – worn by dismounted troops for medium to high levels of activity in temperate (European) climates
• Patrol – worn by mounted troops (drivers/armoured troops) taking part in lower levels of activity in temperate (European) climates
• Cold Wet Weather – worn by dismounted troops for medium to high levels of activity in temperatures down to −20 °C.

Before the adoption of the brown boots, British troops were issued with desert combat boots manufactured by Meindl^[52][53] and Lowa^[54] for use in Afghanistan. Both boots remain listed as part of the MOD's 'Black Bag' of operational clothing despite their official replacement by the brown boots,^[55] and may be worn by individual soldiers in lieu of the issue footwear.

Bayonet

The current British L3A1 bayonet has a hollow handle that fits over the L85 rifle's muzzle and slots that line up with those on the flash eliminator. The blade is offset to the side of the handle to allow the bullet to pass beside the blade. It can also be used as a multi-purpose knife and wire-cutter when combined with its scabbard. The scabbard also has a sharpening stone and folding saw blade.

Personal Role Radio

A Personal Role Radio (PRR) is distributed to every member of an eight-strong infantry section.^[6]

Personal Load Carrying Equipment

Soldiers need to carry ammunition, water, food and protective equipment. They use Personal Load Carrying Equipment (PLCE), a tough, modular system of camouflaged belt, yoke and pouches. To this can be added two small rucksacks and a large rucksack for additional carrying capacity, when required.^[56] The PLCM is due to be upgraded to the new VIRTUS tactical vest next year, with testing with selected units currently taking place.^[57]

PLCE is now very unlikely to be spotted on the front-lines due to the introduction of Osprey body armour, though MTP versions do exist and, due to its durability and the quantity produced, the webbing is often seen in use during training exercises.^{[58][59][60][61]}

Future Integrated Soldier Technology

The Future Integrated Soldier Technology (FIST) is a programme under development by the Ministry of Defence. The programme is designed to achieve enhanced military effect through the used of advanced technologies improving the situational awareness, lethality and survivability of soldiers. Ultimately, the programme is part of the wider British Armed Forces doctrine of network-enabled capability. 35,000 sets of kit are expected to be bought and issued between 2015 and 2020. This equipment is designed to bring the British infantryman up to standards and link with new technology currently employed, including the new underslung grenade launcher for the SA80 and the deployed Bowman communications network. It is not intended that every soldier be equipped with FIST: instead, unit commanders will request FIST kits as necessary so that they can be tailored to the situation and mission aims.

Vehicles

Challenger 2, Warrior, AS90, MLRS and Stormer of 1 YORKS battlegroup

Armoured

Name	Origin	Type	Number	Image	Details
Challenger 2	UK	Main battle tank	227[62]		Equips three regular and one Yeomanry (reserve) Armoured Regiments of the Royal Armoured Corps.[63] A Challenger 2 Life Extension Project (LEP) is planned, and will include new optronics, situational awareness and fire control systems.[64] In 2010 due to budget cuts, 118 tanks were withdrawn from service. Of these, 70 were put in storage and 48 were converted to Driver Training Tanks.[65]
CVR(T)	UK	Armoured fighting vehicle	654[66]		Recce, APC, command and ARV variants equip three Armoured Cavalry Regiments of the Royal Armoured Corps and their REME detachments. APC and command variants also in use with the Royal Artillery, while an ambulance variant is operated by the 1st Armoured Medical Regiment.[67] Some variants have been partially replaced by the Iveco LMV, entire family to be replaced by 589 Ajax (Scout SV) starting 2017.
Warrior	UK	Armoured fighting vehicle	769[68]		Equips six battalions of Armoured Infantry and their REME detachments. A small number are also used by the Royal Artillery for command and observation.[69] Under the £1bn Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme (WCSP) awarded to Lockheed Martin UK, the Warrior will be upgraded and receive an improved turret and new stabilised 40mm CTA International cannon.[70]
Bulldog	UK	Armoured fighting vehicle	895[62]		[71]
Mastiff, Ridgback, Wolfhound	US / UK	Protected mobility vehicle	396, 168, 125[72]		The 6×6 Mastiff and 4×4 Ridgback equip three battalions of Heavy Protected Mobility Infantry, the vehicles can be equipped with either a 12.7mm heavy machine gun or a 40mm grenade machine gun. The 6×6 Wolfhound is a protected tactical support variant of the Mastiff.[73][74]
Jackal, Coyote	UK	Protected mobility vehicle	437, 71[75]		The 4×4 Jackal equips three Light Cavalry Regiments of the Royal Armoured Corps. The vehicle is also used for convoy protection and various configurations exist for the SAS too. The 6×6 Coyote is a protected tactical support variant of the jackal.[76][77]
Foxhound	UK	Protected mobility vehicle	398[62]		Equips six battalions of Light Protected Mobility Infantry.[78]
Husky	US	Protected mobility vehicle	311[79]		Protected tactical support vehicle.[80]
RWMIK Land Rover	UK	Protected patrol vehicle	371[81]		The Revised Weapons Mounted Installation Kit equips three Yeomanry (reserve) Light Cavalry Regiments of the Royal Armoured Corps. The vehicle is also used for convoy protection and various configurations exist for the SAS too.[82]
Snatch Land Rover	UK	Protected patrol vehicle	364[81]		Based on the "Heavy Duty Chassis", which features much higher levels of armour and protection against IED's.[83]
Panther	Italy	Command and liaison	401[81]		Armoured command and liaison vehicle for commanders and officers in various cavalry and armoured formations.[84]
TPz Fuchs	Germany	CBRN reconnaissance	11[85]		Equips Falcon Squadron, Royal Tank Regiment.[86]

Artillery and air-defence

Name	Origin	Type	Number	Image	Details
GMLRS	US	Rocket artillery	35[62]		The Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS), nicknamed the '70 km Sniper' or 'GSRM (Grid Square Removal System)', provides pinpoint accuracy, delivering a 200 lb high-explosive warhead to its target. It has twice the range of other artillery systems used by the British Army. Operated by the: 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, 19th Regiment Royal Artillery and the 26th Regiment Royal Artillery.[87]
L131 AS-90	UK	Self-propelled artillery	89[62]		The L131 AS-90 is a 155mm self-propelled howitzer and is the largest piece of field artillery in the British Army. The L131 is operated by three field regiments of the Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Artillery, including the: 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, 19th Regiment Royal Artillery and the 26th Regiment Royal Artillery.[88]
L118 Light Gun	UK	Towed howitzer	126[62]		The L118 Light Gun is used by the 3rd, 4th, 7th and the 29th field artillery regiments of the British Army. It can be towed by a medium-weight vehicle (such as a Pinzgauer) or carried around the battlefield underslung by Chinook helicopter.[89]
Rapier	UK	Surface-to-air missile system	24[85]		The Rapier Field Standard C is a Short Range Air Defence System (SHORAD), which is compact, mobile and air-portable, making it suitable for worldwide operations. It is a 24-hour, all-weather guided weapon system with the capability to engage two targets at once. Operated by the 16th Regiment Royal Artillery across four batteries, one of which is permanently based in the Falkland Islands.[90]
Starstreak SP HVM	UK	Surface-to-air missile system	62[85]		The Starstreak SP HVM is mounted on the Alvis Stormer AFV with an 8-round launcher and internal stowage for a further 12 missiles. The Starstreak HVM (High Velocity Missile) is designed to counter threats from very high performance, low-flying aircraft and fast 'pop up' strikes by helicopters. Operated by 12th Regiment Royal Artillery.[91]
Starstreak LML	UK	Surface-to-air missile system	145[85]		The Starstreak Lightweight Multiple Launcher (LML) is a short-range, highly mobile air defence system that holds three missiles ready for firing and can be used as either a stationary launch unit or mounted on a light vehicle, such as a Land Rover. Starstreak can also be used as a surface attack weapon, capable of penetrating the frontal armour of even IFV's. Operated by 12th Regiment Royal Artillery.[91]

Mobile artillery monitoring battlefield radar

The Mobile Artillery Monitoring Battlefield Radar ( or Mobile Artillery Monitoring Battlefield Asset) is a counter-battery radar. It detects enemy artillery projectiles fired by one or more weapons and from their trajectories locates the position of the weapon that fired it. It has a detection range of up to 30 km and can process up-to 100 projectiles simultaneously. It is mounted on a Bandvagn 206 (Bv206) all-terrain vehicle. Five vehicles are operated by the 5th Regiment Royal Artillery.

Exactor

The Exactor is a previously classified purchase of Spike-NLOS pods originally mounted on an M113 chassis. The system is primarily used for precise indirect attacks at long ranges (26 km (16 mi)). Exactor is to be brought into the core budget, with options to be remounted on a less specialist and more expeditionary focused chassis.^[92] It is used as an ultra-long range anti-armour and anti-structure weapon, where the GMLRS would result in too much collateral damage. 18 such systems now exist within the Royal Artillery in six batteries of three, with some remounted on more mobile trailers.^[93]

Engineering and logistics

Name	Origin	Type	Number	Image	Details
Trojan	UK	Assault breacher vehicle	32[62]		Trojan is based on the Challenger 2 chassis and is designed to breach through enemy defences, such as walls or fortifications, and clear paths through minefields. The Trojan is equipped with the Python Minefield Breaching System.[94]
Titan	UK	Armoured vehicle-launched bridge	33[62]		The Titan is an armoured bridge launcher based on the Challenger 2 chassis with the capability to deploy a bridge up to 60 meters long.[95]
CRARRV	UK	Armoured recovery vehicle	75[81]		Based on the Challenger 1 chassis and is designed to recover and repair damaged or incapacitated tanks.[96]
Terrier	UK	Combat engineering vehicle	60[97]		Provides mobility support (obstacle and route clearance), counter-mobility (digging of anti-tank ditches and other obstacles) and survivability (digging of trenches and Armoured Fighting Vehicle slots).[98]
Alvis Unipower	UK	Tank bridge transporter	139[81]		The Tank bridge transporter (TBT) has the same cross-country performance as a tank even when fully loaded. It can carry 1 × No 10 Bridge or 2 × No 12 Bridges (Close Support Bridge) of the BR90 family of bridges. It can deploy, drop off and load bridges independently, but it cannot recover them.[99]
M3 Amphibious Rig	Germany	Amphibious bridging vehicle	37[62]		The M3 Amphibious Rigs are vehicles operated by a 3-man crew. The M3 Rigs can drive into the water, open up and join together to create a bridge of varying length. A 100m bridge can be constructed using 8 rigs.[100]
Buffalo	US	Talisman counter-IED	19[101]		Mine resistant ambush protected (MRAP) armoured vehicle, which forms part of the British Army's Talisman counter-IED system.[102]
JCB HMEE	UK	Talisman counter-IED	17[101]		Heavily armoured excavator. It forms part of the Talisman counter-IED system. The MoD has committed to bring the HMEE along with all related Talisman elements (Minewolf, Tarantula Hawk, Buffalo, Panama and Talon) into the core budget.[103][104]
Oshkosh HET	US	Heavy equipment transporter	91[81]		The Oshkosh HET 1070F is the Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET) of the British Army. The Heavy Equipment Transporters are capable of carrying a 72-tonne Main Battle Tank and are responsible for the strategic transportation of armoured vehicles over land.[105]
MTVR	US	Close support tanker	357[106]		The Oshkosh Wheeled Tanker forms the backbone of the British Army's bulk fuel and water transportation. The Tanker can be fitted with enhanced blast-proof armour for driver protection and General Purpose Machine Guns.[105]
MAN SV	Germany	Support vehicle	7,484[106]		The MAN family of support vehicles are gradually replacing all 4-tonne, 8-tonne and 14-tonne cargo vehicles currently in service. They have good mobility and the ability to be fitted with armour and General Purpose Machine Guns.[107]
Leyland, Foden	UK	DROPS	1,217[81]		The Leyland MMLC is the Medium Mobility Load Carrier (MMLC) using a standard pallet and rack system and forms the logistic backbone of the British Army. The Foden IMMLC is the Improved Medium Mobility Load Carrier and is used primarily as an ammunition carrier in support of AS90 155mm self-propelled guns.[108]

C vehicle fleet

The job of the Royal Engineers is to restrict the enemy's ability to advance, while also allowing friendly combat forces the freedom to maneuver as necessary. Other tasks undertaken are bomb disposal, the construction of fortifications, runways, roads and bridges and the improvement of existing infrastructure to support operations - such as improving existing roads for logistic convoys. To achieve this, the Royal Engineers operate a large and diverse fleet of vehicles. At present, the C vehicle fleet is provided by a private finance initiative (PFI) and consists of some 2,500 vehicles of over 160 types of "earthmoving plant, Engineer Construction Plant (ECP) and rough terrain Materials Handling Equipment (MHE)".

The provider of the PFI is Amey Lex Consortium (ALC), which was awarded a 15-year contract in 2005 for £600 million. The handing over of the C vehicle fleet to a PFI has improved overall efficiency, with ALC selecting common chassis for multiple roles and significantly reducing equipment types. This has led to reduced training needs in personnel, commonality of spares and an overall reduction in the logistic footprint and cost of maintenance.^[109] ALC maintains the fleet at various degrees of readiness, with a large pool of the vehicles being modified and adapted for military use - however, the majority of the fleet is maintained at commercial standards. The fleet is dispersed worldwide to accommodate both existing and future operations. When in use, the vehicles are essentially being "hired on an ad hoc basis". To help sustain the C vehicle fleet on operations, the PFI includes a logistics support package.^[110]

Miscellaneous

Name	Origin	Type	Number	Image	Details
Pinzgauer	Austria / UK	All-terrain truck	190		The Pinzgauer is a 4×4 and 6×6 tactical support vehicle used by the Royal Artillery to tow artillery pieces, such as the Rapier and L118 Light gun.
Mowag Duro	Swiss / UK	All-terrain truck	190		118 Duro II and 48 Duro III are operated by communications and intelligence units. A further six Duro II and 18 Duro III are tasked with mine clearance and bomb disposal units - these have become known as Tellar and Citizen in British Army service.[111]'[112][113]
Land Rover Wolf	UK	Utility vehicle	12,000[114]		The Land Rover Wolf is a militarised version of the Land Rover Defender. They can be found in service with the British Army worldwide, and can be armed with one 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun and a 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Gun. The Land Rover Wolf is designated as a Truck Utility Light (TUL) and Medium (TUM).
Land Rover Pulse	UK	Battlefield ambulance	116[81]		The Land Rover Pulse battlefield ambulance has full medical facilities with the capacity to hold up to six seated casualties or four casualties on stretchers. The Vehicle can be airlifted.[115]

All-terrain vehicles

There are a number of all-terrain vehicles in service with the British Army. The Supacat ATMP is a lightweight 6×6 used by airborne and air-mobile forces. It can carry up to 8 troops with a standard NATO pallet of stores and ammunition. The Springer all-terrain vehicle is a light-role 4×2 load carriage platform, which can self-load a 1-ton pallet. Each vehicle is equipped with an 8,000 lb (3,600 kg) self-recovery winch and sand ladders, which act as loading ramps for a cargo pallet.^[116][117] Approximately 900^[118] Grizzly 450 quad bikes are used as light transport for things such as mortars, ammunition and general supplies.^[117][119] Finally, the Harley Davidson MT350E and Honda R250 motorcycles are used by dispatch riders and for a variety of liaison and traffic control tasks.

Special forces

The Special forces maintain a unique fleet of vehicles to support their covert operations. In 2001, 65 Supacat High Mobility Transporter (HMT) 400 vehicles were ordered under Project Minacity after being in development for a special forces protected vehicle requirement since the late 1990s.^[120] The Minacity vehicles entered service in 2003 in Afghanistan.^[121] In 2008, 24 Australian Bushmaster armoured vehicles were purchased under a UOR for the SAS in Iraq providing all-round protection unlike the Minacity with an exposed crew.^[122][123] It is fitted with additional armour, counter-IED electronics, and a .50 calibre machine gun mounted in a RWS.^[124] In addition, other vehicles known to be in service are: 60 Toyota Hilux for special forces mobility; and 78 ACMAT VLRAs as tactical support vehicles to resupply and sustain special forces on operations.^[125][126] In August 2016, the BBC reported that the Jankel Toyota Land Cruiser-based Al-Thalab long range patrol vehicle was being used in Syria.^[127]

Aircraft

Type	Origin	Class	Role	Introduced	In service	Total	Notes
AgustaWestland Apache	UK	Rotorcraft	Attack	2004	50	67	[62] 16 Mothballed[128]
AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat	UK	Rotorcraft	Attack	2014	30	30	[62]
Bell 212	Canada	Rotorcraft	Attack		5		[62]
Britten-Norman Defender	UK	Propeller	Patrol	2003	9	9	[62]
Britten-Norman Islander	UK	Propeller	Patrol	1997	3	7	[62]
Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin II	France	Rotorcraft	SAS	2009	5	5
Thales Watchkeeper WK450	UK	UAV	ISR	2014	52	52	[62]
Westland Gazelle	UK	Rotorcraft	Patrol	1974	34		[62]
Westland Lynx	UK	Rotorcraft	Attack	1979	21		[62]

• 
  Britten-Norman Defender
• 
  AgustaWestland Apache
• 
  AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat
• 
  Westland Lynx
• 
  Thales Watchkeeper WK450

Watercraft

Raiding craft

The raiding craft in service with the British Army are operated in large numbers, predominately with the Royal Engineers and the Royal Logistic Corps, for supporting both bridging and amphibious operations. These craft are highly versatile and often find themselves serving in environments ranging from the Arctic to the tropics.^[129]

Mk.4 Workboat

Four boats in service,^[130] operated by the Royal Logistic Corps as small tugs and general purpose work-boats in support of amphibious operations. They have a displacement of 48 tonnes and a maximum speed of 10 knots.^[131]

Mexeflotes

Mexeflotes are amphibious landing raft operated by the Royal Logistic Corps for amphibious operations and are designed to deliver both armoured vehicles and material from ship to shore. They are deployed on the 16,160 tonne Bay-class landing ships of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

Future equipment

• The Future Integrated Soldier Technology is a suite of equipment capable of enhancing an infantryman's effectiveness as part of the Future Soldier programme.^[132]
• The Future Rapid Effect System was a planned family of medium-weight armoured vehicles intended to replace the CVR(T) series of vehicles. This has been replaced by the Scout SV known as "Ajax" in British service and its variants.
• An Armoured Battlefield Support Vehicle (ABSV) will replace some vehicles, such as the mortar carriers, in armoured infantry units^[133]
• The Land Ceptor Missile system will replace the Rapier by 2020.^[134]
• The MAN Support vehicle is currently being introduced into service. There will be 6,928 cargo vehicles, including unit support tankers, 288 recovery vehicles and 69 recovery trailers. Deployment is planned for 2014.^[135]
• UK MOD has a requirement to acquire a new Modular Assault Rifle System (MARS) for deployment with certain military units from 2014.^[136]
• A new body armour system known as Virtus is under development as a replacement for the Osprey vest and Mk. 7 helmet.^[45]
• The MoD has a requirement for a new multi role vehicle under the Multi Role Vehicle-Protected requirement with main gate expected in 2017. At DSEI 2015 General Dynamics UK announced that they would offer variants of their Ocelot (Foxhound) and Eagle vehicles for the requirement.^[137][138] In July 2017, the US DSCA notified the US Congress of a possible sale of 2,747 JLTV vehicles and accessories to the UK.^[139]
• The British Army wants to purchase 8x8 wheeled armoured fighting vehicles to replace the Mastiff and Ridgeback in British Service. This program used to be part of FRES UV, later named simply UV (Utility Vehicle) and now known as Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV). This vehicle is intended to equip the 4 "heavy protected mobility" battalions under Army 2020 Refine.^[140] They will also be part of the 2 Strike Brigades proposed under the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015.^[141]
• Senior army officers and procurement officials are looking at either upgrading the Challenger 2 or outright replacing it. At DSEI 2015, army officials expressed their concern with the Challenger 2's armament and its inevitable obsolescence in coming years. Other causes of concern are the Challengers engine and electronics. The army stated that they had been in discussions with armoured fighting vehicle manufacturers about the future of the tank and its potential replacement.^[142] A later Defense News article said that the British Army would still proceed with its Challenger 2 LEP, citing that a replacement at the present would be too costly.^[143] On 22 December 2016, an assessment phase award was awarded to BAE Systems and Rheinmetall Land Systeme GmbH to progress the Challenger 2 Life Extension Project.^[144]
• Under the Non-Articulated Vehicle – Protected (NAV-P) program, the MoD is looking for a successor to the DROPS vehicles.^[145]

See also

Other equipment lists

• Royal Engineers bridging and trackway equipment
• British Army communications and reconnaissance equipment
• Unmanned systems of the British Army

Related articles

• Future of the British Army (Army 2020)

References

External links

• Equipment - British Army - Official British Army website managed by the Ministry of Defence.
• Equipment on the British Army Rumour Service - The British Military Open Encyclopedia.
• Defence Suppliers Directory - Defence industry database.
• Discover Military - British Army
• British Special Forces & Elite Units - Information on equipment used by the SAS and other UK special forces.