Background and Future Soldier Program
As part of the sweeping army reforms under the Integrated Review, the British Army has created a new expeditionary unit: The Rangers Regiment. As part of a larger “Future Solider” campaign, the Rangers will be operating under the 1,000 personnel strong Special Operations Brigade. The British Army hopes to fully deploy the Rangers by the end of 2022, and they are meant to replace the Specialised Infantry Group. The Future Soldier program hopes to integrate technical and cyber capabilities seamlessly into combat units and situations. (Source)
Tactics, Training, and Procedure
The Integrated Review has shown the UK’s commitment to modernization and cyber capabilities and the Ranger Regiment will be no different in terms of doctrine.
- Taken from existing forces under the SIG, the Rangers are currently being recruited from the four current Specialised Infantry Battalions: 1 SCOTS (which will become 1st Battalion, Ranger Regiment), 2 PWRR, 2 LANCS, and 4 RIFLES (4th Battalion, Ranger Regiment). (Source)
- First, the recruits must pass a “Cadre Course” which is a general aptitude test than anybody within the British Army can apply for.
- Secondly, they go through a six week “Ranger Course.” This is more specialized and vague training, but what is known is it collaborative training with ally forces and can take place outside of the UK.
- Finally, if these are passed, the recruit is placed in a Ranger Regiment and trains with their regiment for eight months before being given their metal patch and grey beret.
The role of a ranger is unique in a warfighting capacity. Ranging” is a form of war in itself, and was first utilized in British battle doctrine in the French and Indian War (or Sevens Year War, 1754-1763) in North America. Notably, British soldier Robert Rogers produced the “28 Rules of Ranging” during this conflict. (Source)
The modern Ranger Regiment is sticking close to this doctrine of irregular combat, and introducing new technology with age-old warfighting practices – guerilla operations, deep forest reconnaissance, and hostile environment control.
Loadout and Technology
The Rangers are equipped and trained with top of the line reconnaissance devices and surveillance equipment, particularly the Puma drone. (Source) Rangers are equipped with SA-80 rifles and possibly MP5 submachine guns, but since they have not been deployed it is hard to gauge the weapons the battalions and teams will be using.
Possible Operations and Capacity
It has been speculated the Ranger Regiment, once fully trained, could be deployed to Somalia and Mozambique in tandem with the Integrated Review-bred Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB) to provide security and reconnaissance abilities in those regions. (Source)
Ben Wallace, UK Secretary of State for Defence, said that the Ranger will be part of “active and engaged” Army, as well as interesting adding that Ranger Regiment has had considerable funds devoted to make them logistically independent, and can be deployed in teams as opposed to a whole force. (Source)
General Sir Nick Carter had this to add about the Ranger Regiment’s roles and capacity, “I think the roles, ultimately, will be open to anybody in the Armed Forces and certainly within the Army and their function will be very similar to US Green Berets who have over years provided that sort of capability.” (Source)
Summary
These “Future Soldiers”, hailing from a doctrine of old use the abundance of new technology and training to adequately mesh the two ideas into a new style of unconventional and irregular warfighting. The Rangers are still training, but by the end of 2022 the four 250 soldier strong battalions will most likely be deployed around the world.
