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Field Army (United Kingdom)
Field Army (United Kingdom)
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Field Army
ActiveSeptember 2003 – present
Country United Kingdom
Branch British Army
RoleResponsible for "generating and preparing forces for current and contingency operations".
Part ofArmy Headquarters
Garrison/HQTrenchard Lines, Upavon
Commanders
CommanderLt Gen Mike Elviss

The Field Army is a command of the British Army responsible for generating and preparing forces for current and contingency operations. Commander Field Army reports to the Chief of the General Staff.

Background

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Following the 1966 Defence White Paper, United Kingdom Land Forces was formed, and the post of Deputy Commander-in-Chief, UK Land Forces was created, with the holder having the rank of Lieutenant General. In 1982, as a result of the 1981 Defence White Paper, this post was redesignated as Commander, United Kingdom Field Army, typically shortened to just 'Commander Field Army'. Commander Field Army oversaw corps directors such as Commander, Royal Corps of Signals or Commander, Transport and Movements (Royal Corps of Transport).[1]

United Kingdom Field Army was headquartered at Erskine Barracks in Wilton and responsible for organising home defence forces. The UK Field Army was described by senior officers as "roughly the home equivalent of the British Corps in West Germany", but its commander told Beevor that it was 'not a coherent organisation'. UK Field Army was responsible for all out-of-area operations, training, and home administration.[2] By 1991, the United Kingdom Field Army presided over nearly 40,000 regular soldiers, just over 70,000 members of the Territorial Army (TA), and 6,000 civilians. In addition to the UK Field Army's defence commitments, the Field Army was responsible for aid to the civil authority.[3]

The post was disestablished in 1995 following the Options for Change defence review.[4][3]

Land Command was later divided in 2003, under the LANDmark reorganisation, into two suborganisations, Field Army and Regional Forces, that paralleled the Cold War structure of UKLF.[5] Commander Field Army had two deployable divisions (1st Armoured Division, 3rd Mechanised Division), Theatre Troops, Joint Helicopter Command, and Training Support under him. In 2007 it was announced that a new deployable divisional HQ would be established until at least 2011, as a means of meeting the UK's commitments to provide divisional HQs on a rotational basis to Regional Command (South) in Afghanistan and as the lead nation of Multi-National Division (South-East) in Iraq. This was based in York and formed around the re-established 6th Division.[4][6]

Field Army

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Marlborough Lines, Andover

Under another reorganisation effective from 1 November 2011 the Chief of the General Staff took direct command of the Army through a new structure, based at Andover, known as "Army Headquarters".[7][8][9] The post of Commander-in-Chief, Land Forces ceased to exist.[8] In its place a new post of Commander, Land Forces was created, to be held by a lieutenant general (three-star rank).[10]

Following the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010, the government announced significant changes to the structure of the formations under Land Forces that would be implemented from 2010 - 2020:[11]

  • Field Army: By 2020, the total withdrawal of British forces stationed in Germany will be complete, and the Army's operational structure will be formed around a total of five multi-role brigades (MRB); these will be taken from the two brigades currently stationed in Germany under 1st Armoured Division, and three of the four in the UK under 3rd Mechanised Division. To ensure costs are kept down, the MOD's proposal will be to station units as close as possible to training areas. In this process, 19 Light Brigade in Northern Ireland was disbanded.
  • Regional Forces: While the regional forces elements have been retained at brigade level, with all ten regional brigades remaining as they are, the regional divisional HQs (2nd Division, 4th Division and 5th Division) were replaced with a single 2-star regional headquarters at Aldershot known as Support Command from Spring 2012.

When Personnel Support Command was established in 2015, it was decided that the role of SJC(UK) Commander was to transfer to Commander PSC in Aldershot. In due course PSC became Home Command.[12]

On 23 November 2015, it was announced that the post of Commander Land Forces would be renamed as Commander Field Army as part of the Army Command Review.[13] CFA will have four brigadiers under their command, namely: Assistant Chief of Staff Commitments, Assistant Chief of Staff Support, Assistant Chief of Staff Warfare and Assistant Chief of Staff Training.[14][15] During the reorganisation, the post of Assistant Chief of Staff (Warfare) was to be held by the Director, Land Warfare Centre.[4]

Land Operations Command was established on 2 September 2019 as a staff branch within Headquarters Field Army in Andover. Through it, Commander Field Army conducts the planning, generation and operational control of all Field Army deployments.[16]

List of structures

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End of Cold War (1989)

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Future Army Structure (2008)

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Army 2020 (2015)

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Army 2020 Refine (2021)

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Future Soldier (2030)

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Commanders

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In November 2015, the post of Commander Land Forces was redesignated as Commander Field Army.[134]

Commander United Kingdom Field Army
Image Rank Name Term began Term ended Ref
Lieutenant General Redmond "Reddy" Watt September 2003 March 2005 [135]
Lieutenant General Robin Brims March 2005 October 2007 [136]
Lieutenant General Graeme Lamb October 2007 July 2009 [137]
Lieutenant General Barney White-Spunner July 2009 October 2011 [138]
Lieutenant General Nick Carter October 2011 January 2012 [139]
Commander Field Army
Lieutenant General Sir James Everard November 2015 December 2016 [140]
Lieutenant General Patrick Sanders December 2016 March 2019 [141]
Lieutenant General Ivan Jones March 2019 April 2021 [142]
Lieutenant General Ralph Wooddisse April 2021 March 2024 [143]
Lieutenant General Mike Elviss March 2024 [144]

Footnotes

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The Field Army is a major command formation within the responsible for generating, preparing, and sustaining forces for current operations and future contingencies worldwide. It operates under the Army Headquarters, led by the , and focuses on ensuring operational readiness through training, force development, and integration of capabilities such as , , and cyber effects. Commanded by Lieutenant General Mike Elviss CB MBE since March 2024, the Field Army comprises the 1st (United Kingdom) Division, known as the Global Response Division for versatile operations ranging from humanitarian aid to high-intensity conflict; the 3rd (United Kingdom) Division, the Army's warfighting core with armoured and strike brigades maintained at high readiness; and Field Army Troops, which centrally manage specialized, high-demand units including the Surveillance Group, Understand Group, Cyber Electro-Magnetic Activities Effects Group, Land Warfare Centre, Army Special Operations Brigade, 11th Brigade, 77 Brigade, and 2nd Medical Brigade. Under the Future Soldier transformation announced in 2021, the Field Army has been restructured to enhance agility and lethality, introducing Brigade Combat Teams that integrate for self-sustained operations, a Deep Recce Strike Brigade for long-range precision strikes, and specialist formations like the Ranger Regiment within the to address evolving threats such as and peer adversaries. This reform aims to deliver a modernized warfighting division by 2030, aligning the Field Army with commitments and integrated defence priorities.

Background

Establishment and Early Role

The Field Army of the was established in 2003 as part of the reorganisation under the Defence "Delivering Security in a Changing World", which divided Land Command into the deployable —responsible for generating, , and deploying combat-ready brigades and divisions—and Regional Forces for home defence and reserves. This structure was refined under the initiative, announced on 5 July 2012 by the Secretary of State for Defence, to adapt the force to post-Afghanistan operational demands and emerging security challenges. divided the Army into the deployable —focused on generating combat-ready units—and supporting elements like Home Command for , , and regional forces. The initiative aimed to create a more flexible, integrated force blending regular and reserve personnel, reducing the regular Army from 102,000 to 82,000 while expanding the Army Reserve to 30,000, thereby enhancing overall deployability without increasing total numbers. Under , the Field Army's core structure comprised three principal components: Reaction Forces, Adaptable Forces, and Force Troops. Reaction Forces included three armoured brigades (4th, 7th, and 12th) and 16 Air Assault , primarily regular units with about 10% reservists, designed for high-readiness interventions and full-spectrum warfighting tasks such as rapid deployment to deter aggression or conduct stabilisation operations. Adaptable Forces encompassed seven headquarters pooling regular and reserve units for versatile roles, including enduring stabilisation, overseas capacity-building, and homeland defence contributions. Force Troops provided centralised enablers like aviation, engineers, artillery, signals, and medical support to both Reaction and Adaptable elements, ensuring scalable logistics and combat sustainment. This organisation emphasised joint operations with allies and the ability to generate a division-sized contingent for major conflicts. In 2015, as part of the Army Command Review, the post of Commander Land Forces was renamed Commander . In its early years following the 2012 reforms, the Field Army's role centred on transitioning from counter-insurgency in and to preparing for peer or near-peer threats, with an emphasis on deterrence, crisis response, and multinational exercises. Implementation began in 2013, with initial focus on integrating reserves into deployable units to achieve a "whole force" approach, enabling quicker mobilisation for contingencies like the 2014 Ebola response in or NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence in from 2017. By 2014, the Field Army had committed significant elements to ongoing operations, demonstrating its capacity to sustain up to 5,000 personnel abroad while maintaining readiness for larger-scale deployments. This period also involved doctrinal updates to prioritise manoeuvre and cyber integration, laying the foundation for subsequent refinements.

Post-Cold War Evolution

Following the end of the Cold War in 1991, the British Army's field forces underwent profound transformation, shifting from a posture geared toward large-scale conventional defense against the Soviet threat in Europe to a more agile, expeditionary structure suited for diverse global interventions, including peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, and counter-insurgency operations. This evolution was prompted by the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact and the reduced need for a massive forward-deployed presence, leading to the "Options for Change" policy announced in July 1990, which cut regular Army strength from 156,000 to 120,000 personnel and reduced the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR) from around 50,000 to 23,000 troops by 1994, redirecting resources toward versatile, rapid-reaction capabilities. A pivotal adaptation was the creation of the Allied Command Europe Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) in 1991, under NATO's revised Strategic Concept, with the United Kingdom providing the headquarters at Rheindahlen and core formations such as the 1st Armoured Division and 3rd Division to form a high-readiness force for crisis response beyond the treaty area. This initiative underscored the Army's new emphasis on multinational expeditionary roles, as demonstrated in early deployments like during the 1991 , where British ground forces, including elements of the 1st Armoured Division, contributed to coalition efforts against , validating the shift to manoeuvre-oriented warfare. Doctrinal updates, such as the 1994 Army Doctrine Publication 1 (ADP 1) on operations and the 1996 second edition of British Military Doctrine, further embedded concepts like the "manoeuvrist approach" and , prioritizing speed, deception, and disruption over attritional combat to address post-Cold War uncertainties. The 1998 Strategic Defence Review (SDR) accelerated this evolution by increasing regular Army numbers by 3,300 to alleviate operational overstretch from concurrent commitments in Bosnia, , and , while establishing the Joint Rapid Reaction Forces (JRRF) as a pool of up to 25,000 personnel for short-notice deployments, supported by the new at Northwood. Experiences in the —such as the approximately 2,400-strong deployment to Bosnia in 1992 and around 19,000 troops to as part of KFOR in 1999—highlighted the need for doctrines on peace support operations, culminating in the 1998 Joint Warfare Publication 3-50 on Peace Support Operations, which distinguished between traditional and more robust . By the early 2000s, these changes positioned the field forces for sustained operations in (Operation Palliser, 2000, with approximately 2,000 troops) and prepared the ground for post-9/11 engagements in and , emphasizing integrated joint and coalition warfare. In 2003, the reorganisation under the Defence "Delivering Security in a Changing World" formally divided Land Command into the Field Army—responsible for generating, training, and deploying combat-ready brigades and divisions—and Regional Forces, which handled territorial army reserves and home defense, mirroring but modernizing Cold War-era separations to enhance focus on overseas contingencies amid emerging threats like and regional instability. This structure supported a medium-weight force model, with two armoured brigades, three adaptable brigades, and lighter elements, enabling concurrent medium-scale operations while integrating like network-enabled capabilities for greater lethality and sustainability.

Role and Organization

Primary Responsibilities

The Field Army serves as the primary operational command within the , responsible for generating, training, and preparing land forces for both current commitments and contingency operations worldwide. This includes overseeing the readiness of Land Force Elements to support joint operations, ensuring that units are equipped, trained, and deployable to meet strategic objectives ranging from and disaster relief to security assistance and high-intensity warfighting. As a three-star command led by the Commander Field Army, it integrates regular and reserve personnel to deliver scalable force packages tailored to operational demands. A core function is the delivery of Land Component Command, where the Field Army deploys Brigade Combat Teams and divisional assets to execute programmed missions or respond to emerging threats. It maintains two key divisions: the 1st (UK) Division for rapid global response with light and aviation forces; and the 3rd (UK) Division for armoured warfighting, incorporating modernized platforms like the Ajax vehicle and Challenger 3 tank. These elements enable persistent global engagement through regional hubs in locations such as Germany, Kenya, and Oman, enhancing deterrence against adversaries by demonstrating credible combat power. Field Army Troops provide specialized capabilities, including those formerly under the disbanded 6th (UK) Division (disbanded in 2024), such as the Army Special Operations Brigade focused on partner training and conflict prevention. Additionally, the Field Army plays a pivotal role in homeland protection and resilience, leveraging reserve forces to support domestic operations while prioritizing overseas commitments. Under the Future Soldier reforms, it emphasizes integrated deterrence by combining conventional forces with and security assistance to build partner capacities and prevent escalation. This holistic approach ensures the British Army's land component remains adaptable to a spectrum of threats, from state-on-state conflict to scenarios.

Current Command Structure

The Field Army of the operates under a hierarchical command structure designed to generate, prepare, and sustain deployable forces for global operations. At its apex is the Commander Field Army, currently Michael Elviss CB MBE, who assumed the role on 18 March 2024 and reports to the . This position oversees the operational readiness of the Army's combat and support formations, integrating them with broader defence priorities such as commitments and national resilience. The structure is divided into two primary divisions: the 1st (United Kingdom) Division, known as the Global Response Force, and the 3rd (United Kingdom) Division, focused on warfighting and reaction capabilities. The 1st Division, headquartered at Imphal Barracks in York, comprises over 30,000 personnel and provides agile forces for diverse missions, including humanitarian aid, security operations, and high-intensity conflict. It leads the Land Component of NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) Allied Response Force since July 2024, incorporating brigades such as the 4th Light Brigade Combat Team (Catterick), 7th Light Mechanised Brigade (Cottesmore), 16th Air Assault Brigade (Colchester), 19th Light Brigade (York), 8th Engineer Brigade (Minley), 1st Military Police Brigade (Andover), and 102nd Operational Sustainment Brigade (Grantham). The 4th Light Brigade Combat Team maintains high readiness for deployments like Operation CABRIT in Estonia from July 2025. The 3rd (United Kingdom) Division, nicknamed "The Iron Division" and based at Picton Barracks in Salisbury, emphasizes armoured and mechanised capabilities for sustained operations. It includes the 3rd Deep Recce Strike Brigade (Tidworth), 12th Armoured Brigade Combat Team (Bulford Camp), 20th Armoured Infantry Brigade (Salisbury), 101st Operational Sustainment Brigade (Aldershot), 7th Air Defence Group, 7th Signal Group, and 25th (Close Support) Engineer Group. This division supports the Army's 'Recce-Strike' model, aiming for a ten-fold increase in lethality through integrated reconnaissance, precision strikes, and long-range capabilities like the Ajax vehicle and Challenger 3 tank. Supporting these divisions are the Field Army Troops, which provide specialised enablers including the Army Special Operations Brigade (transferred from the disbanded 6th Division in 2024), 77th Brigade (information operations), and 2nd Medical Brigade. The Standing Joint Command, commanded by Lieutenant General Paul Raymond Griffiths CB since 1 September 2025, complements the Field Army by handling recruiting, training, and UK-based resilience tasks, operating under a dedicated headquarters. Recent reforms from the Future Soldier programme, implemented progressively since 2021, have introduced Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) with enhanced integration of cyber, drones, and artillery, while the 2025 Strategic Defence Review established a new Military Strategic Headquarters on 1 April 2025 to oversee joint service integration, committing the Field Army to two divisions and a corps headquarters within NATO's Strategic Reserves Corps. The overall force targets a minimum of 100,000 personnel, including 73,000 Regulars, to underpin this structure.

Divisions and Formations

The Field Army of the British Army is structured around two principal divisions: the 1st (United Kingdom) Division and the 3rd (United Kingdom) Division, each tailored to deliver specific warfighting, expeditionary, and specialist capabilities. This framework, established under the Future Soldier reforms and updated by the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, enables the Field Army to generate scalable forces for high-intensity operations, rapid deployment, and persistent engagement, with a focus on integrating regular and reserve units. As of 2025, the Field Army maintains 32 regular infantry battalions and 15 Royal Armoured Corps regiments (11 regular, 4 reserve), supporting these divisions' operational needs. Field Army Troops incorporate specialist formations previously under the 6th (UK) Division, which was disbanded in 2024. The 1st (UK) Division, headquartered in York (relocating to Catterick by 2028), specializes in light, agile, and expeditionary forces for global operations in permissive and non-permissive environments. It comprises the 7th Light Mechanised Brigade Combat Team (BCT) for high-readiness mobile operations, the 4th Light BCT providing surge infantry mass, the 11th Security Force Assistance Brigade for partner nation capacity building, the 19th Brigade commanding reserve combat units (established 2022), the 8th Engineer Brigade for force support and explosive ordnance disposal, and the 102nd Operational Sustainment Brigade for logistics and medical evacuation. This division emphasizes deployability, with units equipped for rapid airlift and sustainment in contested theatres. The 3rd (UK) Division, based in Bulford, forms the core of the Army's heavy warfighting capability, oriented toward NATO commitments and peer adversary threats. It includes the 12th Armoured BCT and 20th Armoured BCT, both equipped with Challenger 3 main battle tanks, Ajax armoured fighting vehicles, and Boxer mechanised platforms for close combat; the 3rd Deep Reconnaissance Strike BCT (established 2022) for long-range fires and surveillance; the 7th Air Defence Group managing integrated air defence systems; the 25th (Close Support) Engineer Group for combat engineering; and the 101st Operational Sustainment Brigade for heavy logistics. Under the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, this division is undergoing modernisation to adopt a "Recce-Strike" model, enhancing lethality through AI, long-range precision weapons, and drone integration as part of NATO's Strategic Reserves Corps structure, which includes three manoeuvre brigades and a support brigade. Field Army Troops focus on cyber, electronic warfare, and special operations to deliver unconventional effects in high-threat environments. They encompass the , including the Ranger Regiment (four battalions, formed December 2021) for direct action and support to ; and the 77th Brigade for information operations and non-lethal engagement (relocating to ). These capabilities support multi-domain operations, with alignment to the 's broader emphasis on digital innovation under Project ASGARD. Complementing the divisions are additional Field Army Troops, such as the 16th Air Assault BCT () for crisis response, the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group, the 2nd Medical Group for field hospitals, and the Cyber and Electromagnetic Activities Effects Group. As of 2025, combat support elements include 13 regular regiments and 12 regular Royal Engineer regiments, bolstering divisional formations.

Historical Structures

1989 Reorganization

The 1989 reorganization of the refined the command's structure to bolster reinforcement capabilities for the (BAOR) and enhance home defence amid escalating late tensions. Headquartered at Erskine Barracks in Wilton, the operated under the three-star command of Sir David Ramsbotham, who held the position from 1987 to 1990 and also served as Inspector-General of the Territorial Army. This setup directed UK-based field forces, integrating regular and Territorial Army units to support NATO's , with a focus on rapid mobilization for continental deployment or domestic security. Key adjustments in 1989 emphasized specialized formations for BAOR's defensive roles. Notably, the Parachute Regiment Group (PRG) was trialed and formed in January 1989 as an brigade comprising the Territorial Army's 4th, 10th, and 15th Parachute , headquartered in , . Equipped with up to 22 teams per (upgraded to Milan 2 variants), the PRG was tasked with urban defence and anti-tank operations against Soviet advances, addressing funding constraints by leveraging reserve paratroopers rather than regular forces. This grouping stemmed from 1985 planning discussions and modifications to BAOR's Ground Defence Plan, marking a shift toward integrated reserve contributions to forward-area security. Further changes integrated the 29th Engineer Brigade into the 2nd Infantry Division as a maneuver formation, enhancing engineering support for the Weser Valley defence sector within 1 (British) ' rear area. The brigade, previously focused on , adopted a combat role to counter potential enemy breakthroughs. Meanwhile, the 24th Airmobile , re-roled from in and supported by the reformed 9th Army Air Corps, provided rapid reaction capabilities, while the 1st —downsized from the full Division in 1985—maintained centralized with units like the 26th Field equipped for nuclear and conventional artillery roles. These modifications ensured the Field Army's approximately 40,000 regular personnel and over 50,000 Territorial Army reservists could transition to war within days, prioritizing anti-armour and air-mobile assets. The reorganization also extended to special operations, with the UK Special Forces Directorate—established in 1987—coordinating the (SAS) and (SBS) under Field Army oversight for covert reconnaissance and sabotage in a European . Additionally, a second Short Range Air Defence (SHORAD) Squadron of the was stood up in 1989, armed with twin 35mm guns to protect key BAOR airfields, reflecting broader joint-service adaptations. Overall, these 1989 updates optimized the Field Army for a high-intensity conventional , bridging UK-based and BAOR's frontline needs until the post-Cold War "" reductions began in 1990.

2008 Future Army Structure

The Future Army Structure (FAS) represented a major reorganization of the , outlined in the 2003 Defence White Paper Delivering Security in a Changing World and detailed in the 2004 Future Capabilities command paper, with full implementation targeted for April 2008. This restructuring aimed to enhance the Army's deployability, sustainability, and adaptability for expeditionary operations in a post-Cold War environment, emphasizing medium-weight forces and brigade-centric operations while addressing personnel shortages and operational tempo from commitments in and . A core element was the abolition of the traditional "arms plot" system, under which infantry battalions rotated between roles and locations every few years, by April 2008. Instead, battalions were fixed to specific roles (armoured infantry, mechanised , light role, or public duties/) and permanent locations to improve family stability, training focus, and readiness. This shift coincided with a reduction in regular strength from 40 to 36 battalions (approximately 2,400 personnel), achieved by merging units into larger structures such as the Royal of (five battalions), the of the Royal Welsh (two battalions), and the Mercian (three battalions), while preserving regimental identities through cap badges and traditions. One battalion from the Parachute Regiment was reassigned to a tri-service . The FAS reconfigured the Army's manoeuvre brigades to support concurrent small- and medium-scale operations, transitioning from three armoured/mechanised brigades to a balanced force of two heavy armoured brigades, three medium-weight brigades (to be equipped with the or FRES vehicles from 2007 onward), and one light role brigade, alongside the existing 16 Air Assault Brigade and 3 Commando Brigade. Armoured capabilities were rationalized by reducing tank squadrons from 25 to 18 and re-rolling one armoured to a formation role with additional light armoured squadrons; saw a cut of six AS90 self-propelled gun batteries, offset by a new . These changes reduced the overall establishment to around 102,000 personnel, a net cut of 1,500 from prior levels. To bolster combat effectiveness, approximately 3,000 posts from the infantry reductions and other efficiencies were reinvested in and service support formations by April 2008, creating new Logistic Support Groups and enhancing units in , signals, , and . For instance, the Royal Engineers gained additional close support squadrons, while the Royal Signals received reinforcements for network-enabled operations. This addressed capability shortfalls in sustainment for deployed forces, with the overall structure designed to enable a division-level deployment for high-intensity conflict while maintaining brigade-level commitments elsewhere. Critics, including parliamentary committees, noted concerns over the infantry cuts' impact on morale and , as well as delays in FRES , which pushed full medium-weight capability beyond 2008.

2015 Army 2020

The 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) introduced significant refinements to the structure, aiming to enhance the British Army's ability to generate a credible warfighting division for high-intensity operations while addressing evolving threats such as state-based aggression and . Building directly on the 2012 , which had reduced the to 82,000 personnel and emphasized a balanced force of Reaction and Adaptable elements, the SDSR 2015 rebalanced the Field Army to prioritize deployable combat power. This included maintaining the overall regular force at 82,000 by 2025, supported by 30,000 trained reserves, to enable the deployment of a division-sized formation of 30,000–40,000 personnel. Central to these changes was the reorganization of the Field Army's core components within 3rd (United Kingdom) Division, designated as the primary warfighting division. Under Army 2020, this division had focused on a Reaction Force with three armoured infantry brigades, but SDSR 2015 shifted to a structure comprising two armoured infantry brigades and two innovative Strike Brigades, with one of each type maintained at high readiness. The Strike Brigades, intended for rapid global deployment, incorporated advanced mobility through the Ajax family of vehicles (50–60 per regiment) and Mechanised Infantry Vehicles, enabling multi-role operations including armoured reconnaissance and medium-weight maneuver. This configuration doubled the number of ready brigades available for contingency response, enhancing the Field Army's agility and lethality compared to the pre-2015 setup. Implementation of the 2015 refinements, often termed , progressed through the mid-2010s with key milestones tied to equipment procurement and unit re-roling, targeting initial operating capability for the first Strike Brigade by 2020 and full structure completion, including upgrades to tanks and helicopters, by 2025. Supporting elements, such as 1st () Division's Adaptable Force, were adjusted to focus on enduring operations, counter-terrorism, and overseas engagement, with infantry battalions reconfigured for versatility. These updates ensured the Field Army could integrate seamlessly with allies, emphasizing a joint force approach under Joint Force 2025.

2021 Army 2020 Refine and Future Soldier

In November 2021, the British Army announced Future Soldier, a major refinement to the structure, aimed at transforming the force into a more lethal, agile, and expeditionary entity capable of addressing modern threats such as grey-zone competition and multi-domain operations. This plan, launched as part of the UK's of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy, reduced the to 73,000 personnel with a target to expand the Army Reserve to 30,100 by 2025, emphasizing integrated regular-reserve units and persistent global engagement. The refinements built on by introducing Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) as self-sufficient tactical formations, integrating advanced capabilities like Ajax vehicles, Boxer platforms, and tanks, and shifting focus from close combat to deep effects and information advantage. Under Future Soldier, the Field Army, commanded by a three-star officer at Headquarters in Andover, serves as the primary operational command responsible for deterrence, warfighting, and contingency responses, including NATO commitments and operations beyond the Euro-Atlantic area. It oversees three divisions tailored to distinct roles: the 1st (UK) Division, a light and agile force headquartered in York (relocating to Catterick by 2028), comprising the 7th Light Mechanised Brigade Combat Team, 4th Light Brigade Combat Team, and 11th Security Force Assistance Brigade for rapid deployment and security assistance missions; the 3rd (UK) Division, the warfighting core based in Bulford, including the 12th and 20th Armoured Brigade Combat Teams for heavy maneuver and the 1st Deep Reconnaissance Strike Brigade Combat Team for long-range precision strikes; and the 6th (UK) Division, headquartered in Upavon, focused on cyber, electronic warfare, and unconventional operations through the Army Special Operations Brigade, which incorporates the newly formed Ranger Regiment established on 1 December 2021. The also includes dedicated support elements under Field Army Troops, such as the 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team for rapid airborne operations, alongside , Surveillance, and (ISR) Groups, Medical Groups, and Converged Electromagnetic Activity (CEMA) Effects Groups to enable multi-domain integration. These changes streamline the command structure to two three-star —Field Army and Home Command—enhancing agility by dissolving legacy infantry regimental structures and reallocating resources across the , with increased presence in , , and . By 2030, the aims to deliver a fully modernized warfighting division equipped with next-generation systems for enhanced detection, defeat, and global positioning.

2025 Strategic Defence Review Updates

The 2025 Strategic Defence Review (SDR), published on 2 June 2025, marks a pivotal shift in defence policy, emphasizing warfighting readiness and deterrence amid escalating threats from and other actors. For the Field Army, the review prioritizes enhancing lethality and sustainability within existing manpower constraints, building on the 2021 Integrated Review and . It commits to doubling the Army's fighting power by 2027 through improved training, smarter capability use, and rapid technological adaptation, while aiming to triple it by 2030 via integration of uncrewed systems and AI. Central to these updates is the reinforcement of the Field Army's role within the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC), positioning it as a strategic reserve to NATO's High North and Eastern Flank operations. The structure elevates the 3rd (United Kingdom) Division—focused on armoured and mechanised brigades—to lead a warfighting formation comprising three such brigades plus a support brigade, addressing prior limitations where only two armoured brigades were available. Complementing this, the 1st (United Kingdom) Division, oriented toward light infantry, will provide agile forces for rapid deployment, maintaining forward presence in Estonia and Poland. This rebalancing aims to deliver a modernised warfighting division by 2030, reorganised into combat brigade teams equipped for high-intensity conflict. Capability enhancements form the core of the Field Army's transformation, with a "20-40-40" operational mix: 20% crewed platforms, 40% reusable uncrewed systems like drones, and 40% consumables such as precision-guided munitions. Key procurements include 148 main battle tanks entering service in 2027, 589 Ajax armoured fighting vehicles achieving Initial Operating Capability in November 2025, and 623 Boxer mechanised vehicles ramping up from 2025 to full capability in 2032. Artillery modernisation features 14 interim Archer systems and development of the , alongside 61 M270 multiple-launch rocket systems with enhanced munitions. These upgrades, informed by lessons from , integrate AI-driven digital targeting networks operational by 2027, enabling smaller units to achieve tenfold greater lethality through and autonomous systems. Ammunition stocks, depleted by aid to , will be replenished with £1.5 billion allocated for munitions production. Personnel and support reforms address shortfalls and readiness gaps, maintaining the Field Army at approximately 73,000 regular soldiers within a total force of 100,000 including reserves, with potential for modest expansion if fiscal conditions allow. Investments of £7 billion target modernised accommodation and flexible career pathways by , including shorter service options to attract talent. Training will leverage advanced simulations and new sites for long-range fires practice, compensating for constraints at . Overall, the SDR's vision for the Field Army stresses interoperability with allies, industrial partnerships for innovation, and a rising to 2.5% of GDP by 2027—potentially 3% thereafter—to fund these ambitions without structural hollowing.

Leadership

Headquarters and Key Positions

The Headquarters of the Field Army is located at Marlborough Lines, Monxton Road, , SP11 8HJ, within the broader Headquarters complex. This facility supports the command's role in generating, training, and sustaining deployable land forces for operations. Established as part of the Army Command structure following the reorganization, the headquarters integrates , force preparation, and coordination with joint and multinational elements. The Field Army is commanded by a three-star officer holding the rank of , who reports to the and is responsible for delivering trained and equipped forces for current commitments, contingency operations, and persistent engagement activities. As of November 2025, the incumbent is Mike Elviss CB MBE, who assumed the role in March 2024. The Commander Field Army exercises operational control over divisions, brigades, and specialist formations, including the Joint Helicopter Command, while ensuring alignment with the UK's Integrated Operating Concept. Key staff positions at Headquarters Field Army are primarily held by one-star officers (Brigadiers) serving as Assistant Chiefs of Staff (ACOS), who oversee critical functional areas. These include the ACOS Commitments, responsible for operational deployments and force commitments; ACOS Support, managing , sustainment, and infrastructure; ACOS Warfare, focusing on , tactics, and development; and ACOS Training, directing collective and readiness assurance. Additional roles encompass ACOS Operations for real-time operational oversight and ACOS Equipment for capability integration and modernization. These positions, drawn from existing Command resources, enable the headquarters to function as the Training Requirements and coordinate with entities like the Land Warfare Centre. A Deputy Commander Field Army, often a senior at two-star rank, provides additional leadership on reserve integration and specific operational streams.

List of Commanders

The position of Commander Field Army was created in 2011 as part of the British Army's Future Army Structure reorganisation, responsible for generating and sustaining deployable forces. In November 2015, the role was redesignated from Commander Land Forces to Commander , reflecting the command's focus on operational readiness and force preparation. The commander holds the rank of and reports to the .
NameRankTook officeLeft officeCitation
Sir James EverardNovember 2015July 2016
Patrick SandersDecember 2016March 2019
Ivan Jones20 March 2019April 2021
Sir Ralph WooddisseApril 202118 March 2024
Mike Elviss18 March 2024Incumbent

References

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