Ranger Regiment, the Army’s new elite force
Troops will fight alongside allies in global flashpoints
THE Army has unveiled its new elite fighting force capable of going into battle on four separate fronts.
One of the four battalions in the 1,200-strong Ranger Regiment will focus on emerging conflicts in Eastern Europe.
Two will be sent to Africa and the fourth will deploy to the Middle East. The 300 soldiers in each battalion have been selected from across the Army for their military skills but also their emotional intelligence as they will have to forge strong relationships with local troops.
Soldiers will be expected to learn foreign languages – if they do not speak them already – so they may talk to allies in their native tongue. The battalions will also be ‘rank heavy’, with more experienced and mature soldiers making up their numbers.
The Rangers will wear new uniforms, with a new badge and beret, and carry state-of-the-art weapons. Crucially, they will be expected to go into battle alongside indigenous troops rather than just assist them.
The Rangers’ first missions are expected to begin in early 2022. Their operations will be subject to Parliamentary oversight.
The Rangers’ commander Brigadier Gus Fair told the Daily Mail: ‘We are a force capable of operating with our partners, not just assisting and enabling them. We will be working and fighting on the most extreme edge of the frontline.
‘The Rangers will be sent to countries that are unstable and facing threats from violent extremist organisations. The emphasis is on partnering and bringing in military assets and experts which may not be otherwise available to that partner country. The motto of the Rangers will be “By All Means” which is appropriate as we will be highly versatile and diverse.’
The Rangers’ cap badge, to be worn on a gunmetal grey beret, features a peregrine falcon, a bird famed for its speed, ability to operate over long distances and loyalty to its partner – the traits expected of the regiment.
Rangers will be equipped with drones – including the virtually undetectable six-inch Black Hornet – and the Multiple Launch Rocket System capable of firing 12 rockets up to 93 miles.
Three-person Land Rover teams will include a gunner with a Browning heavy machine gun, and Apache helicopter gunships can be called in for support.
As well as linguists, the Rangers will recruit intelligence experts, explosive ordnance disposal specialists and troops trained in gathering evidence from crime scenes, so that cases could be brought against international criminals.
Potential Rangers will be expected to pass an exhaustive selection course and prove their intellectual and emotional intelligence.
But the introduction of the Ranger Regiment may adversely affect the Army’s infantry branch, as some regiments are being ‘hollowed out’ to provide volunteers for the force.
The infantry is also expected to bear the brunt of reductions to the size of the Army due to be announced today. However, the cuts to the Army will not be as severe as previously indicated.