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| Infantry (United Kingdom) | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | Infantry (United Kingdom) |
| Caption | Cap badge of the British Army infantry |
| Dates | 17th century–present |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | British Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Close combat, manoeuvre, security |
| Garrison | Various barracks across England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland |
Infantry (United Kingdom) is the principal close-combat arm of the British Army composed of regiments and corps tasked with ground operations. The infantry has fought in major campaigns from the English Civil War through the Napoleonic Wars, the Crimean War, the First World War, the Second World War, Korea, the Falklands, Northern Ireland, the Gulf Wars, Afghanistan, and Iraq. It comprises regular and reserve units drawn from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, maintaining ceremonial duties alongside operational commitments.
The infantry traces lineage to the New Model Army raised during the English Civil War and to earlier Tudor infantry reforms under Henry VIII. Regimental identities evolved through the Cardwell Reforms and Childers Reforms in the 19th century, affecting line regiments such as the Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, and county regiments like the Yorkshire Regiment and Royal Scots. The infantry played central roles in the Battle of Waterloo, the Crimean War, and imperial campaigns in India and Sudan. In the 20th century, infantry units endured the trench warfare of the Battle of the Somme and the Western Front, combined operations in the Gallipoli Campaign, and mechanised actions in the Battle of France and Operation Overlord. Postwar operations included the Korean War at Pusan Perimeter, counter-insurgency in Malaya, and Cold War garrison duties in West Germany with the British Army of the Rhine. Late 20th- and 21st-century deployments encompassed the Falklands War, the Northern Ireland Troubles, Gulf War (1990–1991), Iraq War, and War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), reshaping doctrine after reports such as the Defence White Paper and reform packages including the Options for Change and the Army 2020 programme.
Infantry organisation is regimentally based, comprising Guards, Line Infantry, Rifles, Parachute, Guards, Guards Parachute elements, and specialised battalions like the Parachute Regiment, Royal Regiment of Scotland, The Rifles, Mercian Regiment, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, and regional reserve units such as the Army Reserve battalions. Brigade and divisional structures include formations such as the 1st (United Kingdom) Division, 3rd (United Kingdom) Division, and the 16 Air Assault Brigade. Units are administratively aligned to entities like the Household Division, Security Force Assistance Group, and the Land Warfare Centre. Historic regiments amalgamated under reforms include the merging of the King's Own Royal Regiment lineages and the creation of multi-battalion regiments after the Cardwell Reforms. Command arrangements link infantry brigades to higher headquarters such as Field Army and regional commands like London District.
Infantry roles span reconnaissance, assault, defence, urban operations, and peacekeeping, integrating with armour, artillery, engineers, and aviation like the Army Air Corps. Tactics evolved from linear musketry to dispersed fire-and-movement doctrine used in combined arms operations alongside units such as the Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers. Specialised tactics are practised by formations including the Special Air Service for special operations and by the Parachute Regiment for airborne assault. Counter-insurgency methods were refined during operations in Northern Ireland and Iraq using company and platoon-level manoeuvre, and the rise of mechanised infantry using vehicles like the Warrior IFV and concepts espoused in doctrine such as the British Army Doctrine Publication series. Training in urban close-quarters battle reflects lessons from the Battle of Mogadishu and modern stabilisation deployments.
Standard small arms include the L85A2/A3 rifle family and the L129A1 designated marksman rifle, supported by light machine guns such as the L7 GPMG and the FN Minimi. Anti-tank capability is provided by systems like the Javelin and the now-retired MILAN, while indirect fire is delivered by weapons including the 81mm mortar. Infantry use protected mobility from vehicles such as the Foxhound (vehicle), Jackal (vehicle), and the tracked Warrior IFV, with artillery support from systems like the AS-90 and close air support from Royal Air Force fast jets and attack helicopters such as the AH-64 Apache. Personal equipment includes helmets like the Mk7 helmet and body armour systems procured under programmes influenced by the Strategic Defence Review.
Recruitment sources include engagement with institutions such as the Army Careers Centre and entry routes via the University Officer Training Corps and direct enlistment into units such as the Foot Guards or reserve formations like the Territorial Force. Initial training occurs at centres such as the Infantry Training Centre at Catterick Garrison, and specialist courses are delivered at establishments including the School of Infantry, Specialist Weapons Wing, and the Defence School of Transport. Officer training pathways involve commissioning through the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and regimental training at battalion depots. Selection for elite units includes tests used by the Parachute Regiment and selection processes comparable to Special Air Service selection. Educational partnerships and scholarships draw recruits from universities such as Oxford and Cambridge through officer cadet schemes.
Infantry battalions have served in expeditionary operations such as Operation Banner in Northern Ireland, Operation Granby in the Gulf War (1990–1991), Operation Telic in Iraq, and Operation Herrick in Afghanistan. They undertook amphibious operations in the Falklands War and peacekeeping under United Nations mandates in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Sierra Leone. Recent deployments have included training missions with NATO partners like Bundeswehr units and bilateral exercises with United States Army forces during Joint Exercises and on operations in the Baltics as part of Operation Cabrit and reassurance measures.
Regimental traditions include colours, battle honours, cap badges, and ceremonial drill preserved by formations such as the Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, and the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (ceremonial affiliations). Insignia and accoutrements—such as regimental tartans for Scottish units like the Black Watch, the bearskin of the Foot Guards, and hackles of regiments like the Royal Highland Fusiliers—signal lineage and honours from battles such as Waterloo and Inkerman. Annual commemorations include remembrance at the Cenotaph and regimental anniversaries tied to engagements like the Battle of Albuera. Medals awarded for valour include the Victoria Cross and the Military Cross, presented in ceremonies involving the British monarch and royal patronage.