UK chief of general staff outlines plans to better prepare British Army to fight in Europe

UK CGS General Patrick Sanders told the RUSI Land Warfare Conference 2023 on 26 June that the upgrade of more than 60 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems would contribute to making the British Army more lethal. (Crown copyright)

At the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) Land Warfare Conference 2023 on 26 June, United Kingdom Chief of the General Staff (CGS) General Patrick Sanders outlined plans to make the British Army better prepared to fight in Europe. “We must have the confidence to structure ourselves to meet our core purpose – to fight and win wars on land – and provide genuine utility and credibility to NATO if called upon, while still being able to operate globally in support of the United Kingdom's interests,” he said.

He laid out plans to improve two British Army divisions during the coming months. The 1st Division will become a land component command (LCC) headquarters capable of integrating multidomain effects, with the resubordination of the 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team under the formation and an examination of its contribution of the Global Response Force it will provide. The 3rd Division's warfighting capabilities will be optimised under an enhanced Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC), both of which the UK has committed to European deterrence and the new NATO Force Model.

In addition, by the end of 2023 the UK's Joint Helicopter Command will become a Joint Aviation Command developing uncrewed aviation into the 2030s.

Land special operations capabilities will be provided nationally and to the UK's allies by the British Army's 77 Brigade, Special Operations Brigade, and Cyber and Electro Magnetic Activities Effects Group.

The British Army reserve force will provide the UK “with resilience and mass”, according to Gen Sanders.