British Army assumes control of UK ground-based air defence from RAF

The UK has launched a new air defence group, with control of the country’s ground-based assets transferring from the Royal Air Force (RAF) to the British Army.

While the UK’s ground-based air-defence assets, such as the Rapier surface-to-air missile system pictured, have been operated by the British Army for several years, control of them has been officially transferred from the Royal Air Force. (MBDA)

The RAF’s Joint Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) command was renamed 7th Air Defence Group (7 AD Gp) and placed under the operational control of the army’s Force Troops Command (FTC), it was announced on 5 April. The FTC is the largest formation in the British Army, and commands units that provide combat support, command support, certain combat service support, and specialist support to the rapid reaction and adaptable forces.

As noted by the army, a ceremony marking the transfer of command was held at Trenchard Lines base in Wiltshire, and was attended by the commander of the FTC, Major General Tom Coppinger-Symes, and the head of the RAF’s 2 Group, Air Vice Marshal David Cooper. The 7 AD Gp is to relocate from the RAF Headquarters in High Wycombe to the home of the Royal Artillery’s air-defence component at Baker Barracks on Thorney Island, near Chichester.