7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery

7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
Unit name	7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
Dates	1961–present
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	British Army
Type	Artillery
Role	Parachute artillery support
Size	Regiment
Command structure	16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team
Garrison	Colchester Garrison
Motto	Ubique
Battles	Operation Banner, Falklands War, Gulf War, Iraq War, War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)

7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery is a regiment of the Royal Artillery within the British Army formed to provide airborne artillery support to parachute and air assault formations. It operates as the artillery element of 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team and has deployed on operations across Northern Ireland, the Falklands War, the Gulf War, Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021). The regiment combines airborne insertion capability with tube and precision fires to support formations such as 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment and 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment.

History

The regiment traces its post‑war airborne artillery lineage to batteries raised in the early Cold War era and reorganisations in the 1950s and 1960s involving the Royal Horse Artillery and the Royal Artillery. It was reformed to meet requirements generated by the creation of Parachute Regiment formations and the establishment of the Airborne Forces concept alongside units like 16th Air Assault Brigade (United Kingdom) and 1st Airborne Division (United Kingdom). During Operation Banner the regiment supported British Army of the Rhine commitments and counter‑insurgency operations in Northern Ireland, while elements were mobilised for the Falklands War alongside formations such as 3 Commando Brigade and Task Force South Atlantic. Subsequent Cold War commitments included training exchanges with United States Army airborne formations and NATO exercises like Exercise Reforger. In the 1990s and 2000s the regiment contributed batteries to Operation Granby, Operation Telic, and Operation Herrick, integrating with coalition partners including the United States Marine Corps and Royal Marines.

Organisation and Structure

The regiment is organised into a headquarters and several firing batteries, each named in the tradition of Royal Horse Artillery batteries such as F (Sphinx) Battery Royal Artillery and G Battery (Mercer's Troop) Royal Horse Artillery. Command elements coordinate fires for brigade assets such as 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team headquarters and liaise with brigade reconnaissance from units like The Parachute Regiment and Army Air Corps squadrons. Support elements include logistics from the Royal Logistic Corps, medical teams from the Royal Army Medical Corps, and signals from the Royal Corps of Signals. The regiment operates within British Army order of battle constructs that align with formations including 3 Commando Brigade for joint operations and may task organise with armoured units such as regiments of the Royal Tank Regiment for combined arms manoeuvre.

Equipment and Vehicles

Historically the regiment employed towed artillery such as the 25-pounder, and later the 105 mm Light Gun which offered air portability for parachute operations alongside platforms like the L118 Light Gun. Self‑propelled and towed systems were supported by vehicles including the Land Rover Wolf and the Fox Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicle during Cold War and 1990s deployments, and later by the Raytheon 105mm Lightweight Towed Gun family and ammunition resupply vehicles from the Royal Logistic Corps. Aviation integration has used the Westland Wessex, Westland Puma, and Sikorsky CH-53 rotorcraft for airlift alongside fixed wing support from aircraft such as the Hawker Siddeley Andover. Counter‑battery and target acquisition relied on sensor suites interoperable with systems like Counter Battery Radar (CoBRa) and forward observers embedded with formations such as 1st Reconnaissance Regiment, Royal Artillery.

Operational Deployments

The regiment deployed batteries to Operation Banner in support of security operations in Northern Ireland and provided gunnery for Task Force South Atlantic elements during the Falklands War, linking with units such as 10 Para and 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment. In Operation Granby it integrated fires with coalition brigades under Operation Desert Shield/Operation Desert Storm, coordinating with formations like the 1st Armoured Division (United Kingdom). During Operation Telic and Operation Herrick the regiment conducted fire support, counter‑IED liaison, and mentoring missions alongside Iraqi Security Forces and Afghan National Army units, operating in provincial areas including Helmand Province and Basra. The regiment has also participated in NATO operations and exercises across Germany, Cyprus, and the Baltic States alongside partners such as NATO Response Force elements.

Training and Parachute Role

Personnel undertake parachute training at the Parachute Training School at RAF Brize Norton and conduct airborne refresher courses with units from Airborne Forces and the Army Air Corps. Training includes live‑fire gunnery, air movement coordination with the Royal Air Force, and amphibious liaison with the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. Integration training involves joint exercises such as Exercise Saif Sareea, Exercise Swift Response, and NATO collective training events to maintain interoperability with formations like the United States Army 82nd Airborne Division and airborne forces from France and Germany.

Insignia and Traditions

The regiment retains the heraldic traditions of the Royal Horse Artillery including the use of battery badges associated with historical troops such as Mercer's Troop and Sphinx iconography, and upholds customs shared with the Parachute Regiment including parachute wings and the maroon beret. Ceremonial duties reflect connections with institutions such as Horse Guards Parade and commemorations at memorials like the Airborne Forces Memorial. Regimental music and customs align with Royal Artillery Band traditions and the regiment observes historic artillery ceremonies derived from the Royal Regiment of Artillery.

Battle Honours and Awards

The regiment and its antecedent batteries hold battle honours and awards earned in engagements tied to formations like Task Force South Atlantic, Operation Desert Storm, and operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Individual personnel have received decorations from the Victoria Cross list of recipients to campaign medals including the Operational Service Medal (Afghanistan), the Iraq Medal, and long service awards administered by the Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom). The regiment's battle honours are displayed in battery colours in the tradition of the Royal Horse Artillery.

Category:Royal Artillery regiments Category:Airborne units and formations of the United Kingdom