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| Field Artillery Regiment (United Kingdom) | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | Field Artillery Regiment (United Kingdom) |
| Caption | Royal Artillery guns in action |
| Dates | Establishment: 19th century–present |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | British Army |
| Type | Artillery |
| Role | Field artillery support |
Field Artillery Regiment (United Kingdom) Field Artillery regiments of the United Kingdom are the principal deployed formations of the Royal Artillery, providing indirect fire support to formations such as the British Army of the Rhine, British Expeditionary Force (World War II), and modern 1st (United Kingdom) Division. Originating in the reforms of figures like Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington and institutions such as the Board of Ordnance, these regiments have served in campaigns from the Crimean War through the Second Boer War to the Gulf War and operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Their development intersects with technical advances from firms like Vickers, BAE Systems, and concepts debated at institutions including the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and the Staff College, Camberley.
Field Artillery regiments trace lineage to horse- and foot-artillery batteries formed under the Board of Ordnance and reorganised during the reforms of the Cardwell Reforms and the Childers Reforms in the late 19th century. They fought with distinction at the Battle of Waterloo, the Siege of Sevastopol, and on the Western Front during the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Passchendaele, often coordinating with formations such as the British Expeditionary Force (World War I), 4th Infantry Division (United Kingdom), and corps-level HQs. Interwar debates at the Imperial Defence College and writings by officers influenced doctrine prior to World War II, when regiments supported operations from Operation Overlord to the North African Campaign. Cold War structure placed regiments within NATO frameworks like BAOR and exercises with the United States Army Europe; later, regiments deployed to Falklands War, Bosnian War, the Iraq War, and Operation Herrick in Helmand Province.
A typical Field Artillery regiment comprises several batteries, a regimental headquarters, and support elements drawn from the Royal Logistic Corps, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, and Royal Signals. Batteries often bear historic titles linked to the Territorial Force or county identities such as Yorkshire and Lancashire, and may be assigned to divisions like the 3rd (United Kingdom) Division or brigades such as the 16 Air Assault Brigade. Command relationships operate through higher echelons including corps HQs like HQ Strike Command and joint organisations such as Permanent Joint Headquarters. The primary role is to deliver and coordinate indirect fire in support of manoeuvre formations including the Household Cavalry, King's Royal Hussars, and infantry brigades from the Parachute Regiment.
Historically equipped with guns like the BL 5.5-inch Medium Gun and the 25-pounder, modern regiments employ weapon systems such as the AS90, the M777 howitzer procured from BAE Systems and Boeing Defence, and precision munitions linked to programmes with MBDA and Lockheed Martin. Fire control and surveillance use platforms including the Watchkeeper WK450, artillery radars like AN/TPQ-36 derivatives, and battlefield management systems integrated with Bowman (British Army) communications. Mobility is provided by vehicles such as the MAN truck family and protected carriers maintained by DEFRA-contracted suppliers and serviced by the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Counter-battery capability depends on sensors fielded by NATO partners like NATO Allied Rapid Reaction Corps.
Doctrine derives from manuals published by the Ministry of Defence and is taught at centres including the Royal School of Artillery, Larkhill, the Joint Services Command and Staff College, and training estates such as Salisbury Plain. Officers attend courses at Sandhurst and staff colleges while enlisted gunners undergo initial trade training followed by live-fire collective exercises in conjunction with formations from RAF Regiment and Royal Navy units during joint exercises like Exercise Joint Warrior and Exercise Wessex Storm. Doctrine emphasizes all-arms fires integration, counter-battery engagement, precision strike, and liaison with intelligence assets such as the Defence Intelligence Staff and aerial reconnaissance from platforms like the MQ-9 Reaper.
Prominent units include numbered regiments like 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, 19 Regiment Royal Artillery, and 29th Commando Regiment Royal Artillery which supported operations in Falkland Islands, Operation Telic, and Operation Herrick respectively. Batteries and regiments have decorations from campaigns including the Battle of El Alamein, Anzio, and recent citations for service in Helmand Province and Basra. Deployments have often been coordinated with multinational formations such as ISAF, Operation Resolute Support, and NATO-led stabilisation missions in the Balkans.
Regimental insignia derive from royal badges such as the Royal Coat of Arms, artillery cap badges, and traditional emblems like the bursting grenade used across the Royal Artillery. Colours, marches, and honours reference battles such as Waterloo and Ramillies, while ceremonies occur at historic sites such as the Royal Artillery Barracks, Woolwich and the National Memorial Arboretum. Traditions include gun salutes at state occasions involving the Tower of London and coordination with units such as the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery for public duties and ceremonials tied to the Monarchy.
Contemporary changes driven by defence reviews including the Options for Change and the Future Soldier programme are reshaping regimental structures, integrating long-range fires concepts influenced by NATO partners like United States Department of Defense research and companies such as Thales Group. Investments focus on networked sensors, precision-guided munitions, and mobility for expeditionary operations with allies such as France and Germany under frameworks like the European Defence Agency. Future regiments will emphasise integration with space assets, electronic warfare coordination with units such as 3rd (United Kingdom) Division support elements, and interoperability for high-intensity conflict scenarios exemplified by exercises with the US Marine Corps.