Modern equipment of the British Army

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This is a list of some of the equipment currently in use by the British Army.

Contents 1 Small Arms & Support Weapons 1.1 P226 SIG Pistol (L105A1, L105A2 and L106A1) 1.2 P229A2 SIG Pistol (L117A2) 1.3 Browning Pistol (L9A1) 1.4 Heckler & Koch MP5 Submachine Gun (L92A1) 1.5 Diemaco C8 SfW Carbine (L119A1) 1.6 Rifle 5.56 L85A2 1.7 Light Support Weapon (L86A2) 1.8 Minimi light machine gun (L108A1/L110A1) 1.9 General Purpose Machine Gun (L7A2) 1.10 Heavy Machine Gun (L2A1) 1.11 L115A3 Long-Range Rifle 1.12 Shotgun Combat 12 Bore L128A1 1.13 51 mm mortar 1.14 60 mm Mortar (M6-640) 1.15 81 mm mortar 1.16 LAW 80 1.17 Light Anti-Structures Missile L72A9 1.18 ILAW (AT4) 1.19 NLAW (MBT LAW) 1.20 Anti-Structures Munition 1.21 FGM-148 Javelin ATGM (Anti-Tank Guided Missile) Launcher 1.22 L109A1 HE Fragmentation Grenade 1.23 Mk. 6 Helmet 1.24 Osprey body armour 2 Armoured vehicles 2.1 FV4034 Challenger 2 MBT 2.2 FV510 Warrior IFV 2.3 CVR(T) Class 2.4 Saxon APC 2.5 FV430 series 2.6 Mine-protected APCs 3 Artillery and Air Defence 3.1 MLRS 3.2 AS-90 3.3 L118 Light Gun 3.4 Rapier FSC (Field Standard C) 3.5 Starstreak HVM (High Velocity Missile) 4 Aircraft 4.1 Westland Apache AH.Mk.1 4.2 Bell 212 4.3 Westland Gazelle AH.Mk.1 4.4 Westland Lynx 4.5 Britten-Norman Defender 5 UAVs 5.1 Hermes 450 5.2 Watchkeeper WK450 5.3 Desert Hawk III 5.4 Buster 6 B (Unarmoured) Vehicles 6.1 Land Rover 6.2 Jackal 6.3 DROPS 6.4 International MXT-MV 6.5 High-Mobility Vehicles 6.6 Heavy Transport 7 Communications Equipment 7.1 BOWMAN 8 Landing Craft & Assault Boats 9 CRBN Defence Equipment 10 Future equipment 10.1 Future Integrated Soldier Technology 10.2 Future Rapid Effect System 10.3 Panther 11 Uniform 12 References 13 External links

Small Arms & Support Weapons

The 4 man infantry fire team on operations is equipped with the following^[1]:

• Weapons
  • 1 x L85A2
  • 1 x L85A2 with UGL
  • 1 x Minimi light machine gun
  • 1 x L86A2 LSW
  • 1 x 84mm Antitank Weapon
  • 1 x Light Anti Structure Munition
  • 4 x White Phosphorus smoke grenade
  • 8 x high explosive grenades
  • 4 x Signaling smoke grenades

• Surveillance and Target Acquisition Equipment
  • 4 x Sight Unit Small Arms Trilux (SUSAT)
  • 2 x image intensified Common Weapon Sights
  • 1 x TAM 14 small Thermal Imaging System
  • 1 x Head Mounted Night Vision System (HNVS)
  • 2 x VIPER 2+ thermal imaging weapon sight
  • 2 x commanders target locating system (CTLS)

• Communications Equipment
  • 4 x Personal Role Radio
  • 1 x Bowman secure VHF Radio

P226 SIG Pistol (L105A1, L105A2 and L106A1)

The P226 SIG Pistol. The L105A1 is the original P226, the L105A2 is the railed version and the L106A1 has an improved protective finish.

P229A2 SIG Pistol (L117A2)

The SIG P229A2 is a smaller variant of the P226, and is the replacement for the P228.

Browning Pistol (L9A1)

The Browning High Power Pistol (L9A1) is a general issue pistol.

Heckler & Koch MP5 Submachine Gun (L92A1)

Issue limited to special forces and task forces involved in special operations. It is a German made submachine gun, capable of a rate of fire of 950 rounds a minute and firing 9mm Parabellum ammunition.

Diemaco C8 SfW Carbine (L119A1)

The Diemaco C8 SFW Carbine is a Canadian made cousin of the American Colt M4. It differs from the M4 and other C8 models in many ways including a Flat-top receiver and 16 inch barrel.

Rifle 5.56 L85A2

The standard issue rifle is now the L85A2, known popularly as the SA80. This is an enhanced replacement for the original L85A1 version with improvements to the working parts (cocking handle, firing pin etc.), gas parts and magazines. The L85A2 is regarded by many as the most reliable standard rifle in service, a stark contrast to both the L1A1 and especially the vilified L85A1, which was dropped from NATO's list of approved weapons due to its unreliability with the NATO STANAG 5.56mm round. During the 2003 International shooting meet at Bisley, the British Army team won after firing over 62,000 rounds with no stoppages. During active service, the L85A2 is commonly fitted with a SUSAT 4x optical sight, and can also be fitted with a 40 mm L17A2 Under-slung Grenade Launcher (UGL), and a LLM01 laser aiming and torch attachment. It is fed by a 30-round magazine. It should be noted that the rifle has never been designated "SA80" (instead always being known as the L85 A1/A2) and the "SA80" refers to the research program "Small Arms for the 1980s" under which it was designed.

Light Support Weapon (L86A2)

The L86A2 LSW (Light Support Weapon) is another weapon in the SA80 family. It has a longer, heavier barrel, an extra pistol grip and a bipod, providing greater long range firepower and accuracy compared to the L85 rifle. The L86 had a very similar A2 upgrade to the L85 also making it a much improved reliable rifle. All weapons within the SA80 family are 5.56 mm NATO calibre and like the L85 rifle it is fed by a 30 round magazine. Although intended as fire support weapon, the L86A2’s accuracy is so great that its primary role within many infantry sections has shifted to that of a marksman's weapon, capable of extremely accurate precision fire at ranges up to 600m and effective up to 1000m.^{[citation needed]}

Minimi light machine gun (L108A1/L110A1)

The Minimi light machine gun is issued to the infantry and some other units to improve their firepower over that provided by the L85 and L86. It is a 5.56 mm calibre belt-fed machine gun, used primarily with its bipod so it can provide a level of sustained fire not possible with the LSW with its 30-round magazine. The L110A1 is the "paratrooper" version, equipped with a shortened barrel and a collapsible stock and is now issued one per four man infantry fireteam. The L108A1 is the basic Minimi light machine gun which was originally issued to special forces units before the 1991 Gulf War; it was never on general issue to line infantry units.

General Purpose Machine Gun (L7A2)

The L7 GPMG (General Purpose Machine Gun) is the UK's version of the FN MAG, often referred to as a 'gimpy'; it can be fired from a bipod or tripod. It is used as a suppression weapon with a range of 800 m and as an accurate sustained fire platform when mounted on a tripod, increasing its range to 1,800 m, although this falls to 1,100m in low light conditions, as this is the range at which tracer burns out. Experienced GPMG gunners using the weapon to fire indirectly (i.e. with an arcing trajectory) are able to fire accurately out to 3000 m from the 'Sustained Fire' platform in the 'Map Predicted Fire' role. It is a 7.62 mm NATO calibre weapon. Versions of this weapon are also mounted on pedestal mounts on various vehicles, boats and helicopters and mounted as coaxial armament in armoured vehicles. Manufactured under license by Manroy Engineering.

Heavy Machine Gun (L2A1)

The heavy machine gun of the British Army is a version of the M2 Browning machine gun. It is a 12.7-mm calibre weapon using the .50 BMG round. Can be mounted on a tripod or on pedestal mounts on vehicles. Manufactured under license by Manroy Engineering.

L115A3 Long-Range Rifle

The Government has ordered nearly 600 of these replacing the L96 7.62 rifle. The L115A3 has a scope that can magnify the target up to 25 times, a suppressor to reduce flash and noise, a folding stock and five-round magazine. With a range of around a mile, the new rifle is being rolled out alongside the broader Sniper System Improvement programme.^[2]

Shotgun Combat 12 Bore L128A1

A version of the Benelli M4 Super 90 introduced in 2009 for use by the point man of a section at close quarters within close country and complex terrain.^[3]

51 mm mortar

The 51 mm mortar is a light mortar which can be carried and fired by one man. Smoke, illuminating and high explosive bombs are available. The 51 mm mortar, which replaced the 2 inch mortar was due to be phased out by the use of the newer 40 mm AG36 UGL (Underslung Grenade Launcher) mounted on the SA-80. However operational experience has led to the decision to replace it with a 60mm Mortar^[4][5]

60 mm Mortar (M6-640)

The Hirtenberger M6-895 60 mm Mortar was procured as an Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR). It can be fired in both the direct and indirect fire role at a rate of 1–12 rounds a minute and can be operated in the hand held mode. The 640 60 mm Mortar has been procured as a UOR to replace the current 51 mm Mortar on current operations.^[6]

81 mm mortar

The L16A2 81-mm mortar is a medium mortar which is operated by a three man team. It is often vehicle-borne, and in mechanised infantry battalions is mounted and fired from an FV432 vehicle. The Royal Marines use the Swedish Hagglunds BV206 Mortar variant as their mortar mounted vehicle.

LAW 80

The LAW 80 is a man-portable (1 man) anti tank weapon that fires a 94 mm HEAT rocket out to 500 metres. Replaced by the NLAW (Next Generation Anti-tank Weapon).

Light Anti-Structures Missile L72A9

Originally designated as the "Rocket 66mm HEAT L1A1" (M72 LAW), it was replaced by the LAW 80 in the Anti-tank role but has been modified for structure demolition purposes, the main difference is the warhead, the LASM contains about 1 kg of an enhanced blast explosive, whereas the LAW contains about a third of a kilo^[7].

ILAW (AT4)

An interim replacement/supplement for LAW 80 until NLAW is in service. 84 mm, disposable, one-man-portable HEAT rocket system, manufactured by Saab Bofors Dynamics. Its maximum effective range is 300 metres.

NLAW (MBT LAW)

The replacement for the LAW 80. Manufactured by Saab Bofors Dynamics. Its effective range is between 20 and 600 metres.

Anti-Structures Munition

The Anti-Structures Munition is a man-portable infantry weapon specifically designed to defeat hardened structures. The contract for development of the system was awarded to Dynamit Nobel Defence in 2006. Expected in-service date sometime in 2010.

FGM-148 Javelin ATGM (Anti-Tank Guided Missile) Launcher

Currently being procured as the replacement for the Milan system. It fires a missile out to ~2500 m and is capable of defeating explosive-reactive armour with a tandem HEAT warhead. It is currently thought that the Javelin is capable of penetrating most armoured vehicles' armour.

L109A1 HE Fragmentation Grenade

The L109A1 came into service in the British military in 2001, replacing the L2A2 as the standard anti-personnel grenade. The L109A1 weighs 465 gm, has a fuse delay of 3–4 seconds. The grenade is filled with RDX explosives. On detonation the steel shell bursts and fragments outwards at high velocity. The fatality radius is up to 10 m but fragments may travel as far as ~200 m from detonation.

Mk. 6 Helmet

The standard Nylon Fiber "Hard hat" (Helmet) of the British Army, now being replaced by the Mk7 helmet. ^[8]

Osprey body armour

Many troops in Iraq and Afghanistan are now being issued with the new Osprey body armour. This provides a much better protection than previous body armour. It also allows for the attachment of various webbing pouches (such as PLCE or the US MOLLE).

Armoured vehicles

FV4034 Challenger 2 MBT

• Challenger 2 (408 in service)

The United Kingdom placed orders for 127 Vickers Challenger 2 tanks in 1991 and an additional 259 in 1994. The Challenger 2 is equipped with a 120 mm rifled tank gun produced by BAE Systems' Royal Ordnance.

FV510 Warrior IFV

• Warrior tracked armoured vehicle (789 in service)

CVR(T) Class

Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (tracked) class of armoured vehicles

• FV101 Scorpion - Light Tank (with L23A1 76 mm gun) (Retired)
• FV102 Striker - Anti-tank guided missile carrier (Retired)
• FV103 Spartan - Armoured Personnel Carrier (526)
• FV104 Samaritan - Battlefield Ambulance
• FV105 Sultan - Command and Control Vehicle
• FV106 Samson - Armoured Recovery Vehicle
• FV107 Scimitar - Light Tank (with 30 mm L21 RARDEN cannon) (315)
• Sabre - Light tank (A Scorpion hull with a turret from an old Fox reconnaissance vehicle) (Retired)

The following vehicles are based on a, larger modernised version of the CVR(T) - the Stormer.

• Shielder - mine layer
• Stormer HVM - Short Range Air defence (with Starstreak High Velocity Missiles).

Saxon APC

• Saxon (vehicle) (640 in service)

Wheeled armoured personnel carrier. To be replaced by the Future Rapid Effect System.

FV430 series

• FV430 series (693 in service)

The FV430 series serve as armoured personnel carriers and in specialist battlefield roles. Some FV432 APCs have been heavily upgraded and named Bulldog.

• Command and Control
• Ambulance
• Cargo carrier
• Recovery vehicle
• Electronic Communications Platform
• Mortar platform
• Mortar Location Radar Platform

Mine-protected APCs

• Mamba APC (no longer in service)
• Cougar (vehicle) (248 Mastiffs, 157 Ridgbacks, 90 Wolfhound)
• Chubby (mine detection system) (3 in service)

Artillery and Air Defence

MLRS

• M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (67 in service)

The Lockheed M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System is a self-propelled artillery system with a range in excess of 30 km. The MLRS saw its combat debut in the 1991 Gulf War. This platform is capable of firing 12 cluster bomb units with the capacity to annihilate a kilometer square, anti tank mines also in 12 cluster bomb units, 12 anti-armour missiles or 2 tactical nuclear warheads.

AS-90

• AS-90 (179 in service)

The AS-90 is a 155-mm self-propelled howitzer. It has seen combat service against Iraq in 2003. The firing device is capable of containing 2 shells for firing in quick succession before reloading is required.

L118 Light Gun

• L118 Light Gun (138 in service)

The L118 is a 105-mm towed gun-howitzer. It is primarily used by the lighter units in the British Army.

Rapier FSC (Field Standard C)

The MBDA Rapier is the UK's primary battlefield air defence system and has been widely deployed since its first operational use in the Falklands War.

Starstreak HVM (High Velocity Missile)

Starstreak is an anti-aircraft missile which can be launched either by a single soldier or from a launcher mounted on a vehicle.

Aircraft

Westland Apache AH.Mk.1

• AgustaWestland Apache (67 in service)

The Westland Apache AH.Mk.1 is a licence built modified version of the Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow and will replace the Lynx AH.Mk.7 in the anti-tank role. Carrying a 30mm Cannon and 16 hell-fires or 72 rockets or a combination of the two, this platform is the first to incorporate automatic prioritisation of the 100 closest targets and the unique "fire and forget." Once the gunner has fired he can simply move attention onto the next target.

Bell 212

The Bell 212 is used by the Army flight in Brunei as a utility and transport helicopter. A development of the famous Huey series of military helicopters, the 212 has a crew of two and can carry up to 12 troops.

Westland Gazelle AH.Mk.1

The Westland Gazelle helicopter is a light helicopter primarily used for battlefield scouting and control of artillery and aircraft.

Westland Lynx

The Westland Lynx performs various roles in Army service as a light utility helicopter, though is currently employed as sniper platform, door gun platform (for GPMG and .50 cal), battlefield transport, VIP transport and visual surveillance. An army Lynx still holds the world helicopter speed record, set 20 years ago.

The anti-tank warfare (with eight TOW missiles and TITOW roof sight) role was suspended in December 2005, after the introduction of the Westland Apache.

Britten-Norman Defender

The Britten-Norman Defender ^[9] is a light aircraft used for airborne reconnaissance and command.

UAVs

Hermes 450

The Hermes 450 is a rotary engined propeller driven single payload tactical UAV (TUAV), with thermal imaging and digital optical capability. H450 is providing temporary fill in and operating experience to aid crossover from Phoenix to Watchkeeper.

Watchkeeper WK450

Essentially a larger more advanced H450, with twin payloads, due to replace Hermes 450 within the next few years as the army's TUAV. See Watchkeeper WK450

Desert Hawk III

Mini Unmanned Air Vehicle (MUAV) in active service. Provides day/night coverage at detachment level. See Desert Hawk

Buster

MUAV buster is an older design uav rejected for use by special forces, occasionally employed in same role as DH3 by regular army where shortages occur.

B (Unarmoured) Vehicles

Land Rover

Numerous variants including:

• Land Rover Wolf Truck Utility Light and Medium (Higher Specification) (designated TUL-HS and TUM-HS)
• Land Rover Defender Truck Utility Light and Medium (designated TUL and TUM)
• Battlefield Ambulance - using Land Rover Defender 127" chassis

Jackal

The Jackal MWMIK is the new mobile, weapons platform which is replacing the current Landrover WMIK (Weapons Mounted Installation Kit) and is currently being introduced into service with selected units in Afghanistan^[10]. It is an all-terrain 4x4 that is designed to give the crew of 3 men a good mix of mobility and firepower ^[11][12].

DROPS

The Demountable Rack Offload and Pickup System is a standard pallet and rack system used by the British Army.

• Leyland Medium Mobility Load Carrier
• Foden Trucks EKF 6 x 6 Improved Medium Mobility Load Carrier

International MXT-MV

• International MXT-MV Supplier of the UK's Husky Tactical Support Vehicle (Medium) is Navistar with its MXT-MVA. A contract for 200 vehicles has been signed.

High-Mobility Vehicles

• Pinzgauer 716M - Four-wheel drive transporter
• Supacat All Terrain Mobility Platform (ATMP)
• Carrier Full-tracked Articulated BV206 - Two-part, articulated vehicle designed for snow and sand
• Harley Davidson MT350E Motorcycle
• Honda R250 Motorcycle

Heavy Transport

• Oshkosh Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET)
• Bedford TM 6x6 14 tonner
• Bedford TM 4x4 8 tonner
• Leyland/DAF 4 tonner
• Bedford MK and MJ 4 tonne

Communications Equipment

BOWMAN

Bowman is the new tactical C4I system being rolled out to British forces to replace the Clansman.

Landing Craft & Assault Boats

• Mk 5 Assault Boat
• Rigid Raider
• Ramped Craft Logistic (RCL)
• Combat Support Boat (CSB)
• Landing Craft Vehicle/Personnel (LCVP)
• Mexeflote

CRBN Defence Equipment

• Fuchs Nuclear and Chemical Reconnaissance and Survey Vehicle
• Nerve Agent Immobilised Enzyme Alarm and Detector-Level 3 (NAIAD)
• Chemical Agent Detector (CAD)
• Prototype Biological Detection System (PBDS)
• Integrated Biological Detection System (IBDS)
• Multi-Purpose Decontamination System (MPDS)

Future equipment

Future Integrated Soldier Technology

Future Integrated Soldier Technology is a suite of equipment to enhance infantrymen's effectiveness as part of the Future Soldier programme.

Future Rapid Effect System

The Future Rapid Effect System is a planned family of medium-weight armoured vehicles intended to replace Saxon, FV432 and CVR(T) series of vehicles.

On the 8 May ,2008 The General Dynamics (GD) Piranha V, light armoured vehicle was proivisionally selected ahead of Artec's Boxer and Nexter's VBCI.^[13]

Panther

The Panther Command and Liaison Vehicle is a light armoured vehicle intended for use in reconnaissance and utility tasks and is the British Army variant of Iveco LMV. The Panther CLV came from the "Future Command and Liaison Vehicle" (FCLV) project. Design modifications were made by BAE Systems is to be assembled at BAE Systems Land Systems' factory in Newcastle upon Tyne. Over 400 Panthers are now being assembled by BAE Systems in Newcastle upon Tyne under a £160 million contract. It is intended that the Panther will replace a range of vehicles including the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (tracked) (CVRT), Fighting Vehicle FV 432, Saxon and Land Rover Truck Utility Medium (TUM). ^[14]

The first Panthers have been delivered to the 1st Mechanised Brigade (United Kingdom) and handfuls are undergoing hot weather trials in Afghanistan. ^[15]

Uniform

A complete list of everything a soldier is issued for uniform is known as his "1157" derived from the document number of the book in which uniform items on issue to an individual are recorded.

References

External links

• British Army equipment - official MoD website.
• Equipment on the British Army Rumour Service
• Defence Suppliers Directory - defence industry database.

v • d • e Current UK individual weapons and cartridges Pistols L9A1 • L106A1 • L117A2 Rifles, carbines, and LSWs SA80 series (L85 IW, L86 LSW, L22A1) • L108A1, L110A1 (Para) • L101A1 • L119A1 • L100A1 Sniper rifles L42/A1 • L96A1, L118A1 • L115A1, L115A3 • L82A1 • AW50F Submachine guns L80A1, L90A1 • L91A1, L92A1 Shotguns L74A1 (Remington 870 Wingmaster) • L128A1 Machine guns L3 • L7A2 • L2A1/L111A1 Heavy Machine Gun Grenade launchers L17A1/A2 • L67A1 Anti-tank weapons L1A1 (LAW) • LASM • LAW 80 • L14A1 Carl Gustav • L2A1 (ILAW) • L142A1 (AT4CS HP) Anti-tank guided missiles MILAN • Javelin Mortars L9A1 51 mm Mortar • L16/A1 81mm Mortar Modern cartridges used 5.56x45mm NATO • 7.62x51mm NATO • 12.7x99mm NATO • .338 Lapua • 9x19mm Parabellum • 12 gauge