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Written question asked by Lord Chidgey (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 15 April 2021, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 29 April 2021. It was answered by Baroness Goldie (Conservative) on Thursday, 22 April 2021 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ranger Regiment

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to draw the personnel for the new Ranger Regiment from all Infantry units of the British Army; what assessment they have made of the additional training resources required for that regiment to be able to operate in complex and high risk environments; and what assessment they have made of the impact on the establishment of such a regiment on (1) extended overseas deployments, and (2) any additional training and advisory agreements made with other nations consequent upon these deployments.

Answer

The new Ranger Regiment is part of an Army Special Operations Brigade and will receive a share of a £120 million investment over the next four years. It will initially be seeded from the four Specialised Infantry Battalions and in time will become all-arms units capable of supporting and conducting special operations in high-risk environments.

Under the transformation announced by the Secretary of State for Defence, the Army will be more actively and persistently engaged overseas. This does not mean that all deployments will be lengthy and the impact on individuals and their families will be carefully managed under policy designed to ensure that they are not over-stretched. To complement the Army Special Operations Brigade, a Security Force Assistance (SFA) Brigade will also be established and this will form the foundation of the Army's contribution to persistent engagement overseas.

The Army will use spring and early summer 2021 to refine and test the designs, capabilities and structure of its units before making more detailed announcements later this year.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL14961
Session
2019-21
Subjects
Deployment Training Ranger Regiment
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk