22nd Regiment Royal Artillery

22nd Regiment Royal Artillery
Unit name	22nd Regiment Royal Artillery
Dates	1947–present
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	British Army
Type	Artillery
Role	Field artillery
Size	Regiment
Command structure	1st Deep Reconnaissance Strike Brigade Combat Team
Garrison	Larkhill Garrison
Equipment	AS90, M270 MLRS, Phoenix UAV
Battles	Korean War, Northern Ireland, Gulf War, Iraq War, Afghanistan War

22nd Regiment Royal Artillery is a regiment of the British Army's Royal Artillery, formed in the post-World War II era and serving in multiple conflicts and peacekeeping missions. The regiment has operated a variety of artillery systems and has been assigned to different formations within the British Army, deploying on operations ranging from the Korean Peninsula to the Middle East. Over decades its organization, equipment, and garrison locations have evolved in response to changes in strategy, technology, and international commitments.

History

The regiment traces origins in the late 1940s during British Army reorganization after World War II and operated through the Cold War, responding to crises such as the Korean War, the Suez Crisis, and tensions in Europe associated with the Warsaw Pact and North Atlantic Treaty Organization. During the Troubles in Northern Ireland the regiment deployed personnel to support Operation Banner, and elements served in the Falklands War logistics and artillery support networks. In the 1990s the regiment participated in Operation Granby during the Gulf War and later contributed batteries to Operation Telic in Iraq War and to Operation Herrick in Afghanistan War. The regiment adapted through British Army restructuring initiatives such as the Options for Change (UK) review and the Army 2020 programme, later integrating with strike and deep fires concepts under Army 2020 Refine and subsequent modernization drives associated with the Future Soldier programme.

Formations and Organization

Organizationally the regiment has been composed of multiple batteries, each named and numbered in line with Royal Artillery traditions, with sub-units linked to historic batteries such as those tracing lineage to the Royal Horse Artillery and territorial units absorbed after the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act 1907 reforms. Command relationships have shifted between corps-level commands including attachments to the 1st Armoured Division, the 3rd (United Kingdom) Division, and strike brigades under Field Army (United Kingdom). The regiment's headquarters coordinates fire-support, target acquisition, and logistics with formations like 1st Deep Reconnaissance Strike Brigade Combat Team, working in conjunction with units such as Royal Engineers, Royal Logistic Corps, and Household Cavalry Regiment elements when deployed.

Equipment and Equipment Changes

Equipment evolution reflects technological shifts from towed and self-propelled guns to precision rocket artillery and unmanned aerial systems: earlier platforms included towed 25-pounder and later the FV433 Abbot self-propelled gun, followed by adoption of the AS90 self-propelled howitzer and the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System. Targeting and surveillance assets progressed to include counter-battery radars like the AN/TPQ-36 family and unmanned systems akin to the AeroVironment Raven and larger reconnaissance UAVs. Fire-control migrated from analog computing to digital systems compatible with networks such as Bowman (UK) and expeditionary command systems used in Operation Telic. Logistic and mobility platforms have included variants of the Land Rover Defender and the Mastiff (vehicle), with modular support vehicles from the Medium Mobility Tactical Vehicle Replacement initiatives.

Deployments and Operations

The regiment deployed batteries to the Korean War theatres and later to support counter-insurgency operations during The Troubles in Northern Ireland under Operation Banner. In 1990–1991 elements took part in Operation Granby during the Gulf War supporting coalition forces alongside units from the Royal Air Force Regiment and Royal Navy. Deployments in the 2000s included contributions to Operation Telic in Iraq War and to Operation Herrick in Afghanistan War, cooperating with multinational partners from United States Department of Defense, NATO, and coalition contingents such as Australian Defence Force and Canadian Forces. The regiment has also provided disaster relief and participated in exercises like Exercise Joint Warrior and Exercise Red Flag (United States Air Force), enhancing interoperability with formations including the United States Army, French Army, and German Army.

Training and Garrison Locations

Garrisoned historically at multiple UK depots, the regiment has been based at major training centres such as Larkhill Garrison on Salisbury Plain, leveraging ranges at MoD Shoeburyness and combined arms facilities at Catterick Garrison. Collective and individual training has occurred at institutions like the Royal School of Artillery, the Land Warfare Centre, and multinational schools including the NATO School, with live-fire and combined-arms exercises conducted at Salisbury Plain Training Area and overseas at ranges such as BATUS in Canada and Grafenwöhr Training Area in Germany.

Insignia and Traditions

The regiment maintains Royal Artillery customs and insignia featuring elements from the Royal Coat of Arms and artillery symbols like the flaming grenade and gun badge used across the Royal Artillery. Traditions include battery marches, honorifics linked to historical battles such as the Battle of Waterloo and the Siege of Quebec (1759), and observances aligned with the Remembrance Sunday ceremonies at sites like the National Memorial Arboretum. Regimental silver, colours, and ceremonial protocols reflect connections to institutions such as the Household Division and the College of Arms.

Category:Regiments of the Royal Artillery Category:Military units and formations of the United Kingdom