Global tensions are at an all-time high following military clashes between neighbouring nuclear powers India and Pakistan as the world turns its head from one potential WW3 conflict to another.
This comes on the back of Israel’s actions again Palestine, Russia’s attempted invbasion of Ukraine, and China’s looming interest in Taiwan.
Theses threats could see the British Army called into action overseas at any time as it boasts a 108,000-strong land warfare force, with close to 74,000 full-time recruits who will be watching the brewing conflict closely.
Along with the full-time personnel, the British Army comprises 4,127 Gurkhas, 25,742 volunteer reserves and 4,697 “other personnel” with most of its forces now stationed within the UK.
But the army is currently running eight global operations with soldiers living, training and running routine military drills across the world. Here is a breakdown of where they are:
Germany
Germany is home to the British Army-led NATO Forward Holding Base in Sennelager and is estimated to have fewer than 1,000 British Army personnel across the European ally.
The force’s website says “this base hosts British Army tanks, equipment, and logistics elements as well as providing a facility to integrate and train with NATO allies to practise pour shared commitment to the alliance’s collective security and defence.”
Estonia and Poland (Operation Cabrit)
These deployments are known as Operation Cabrit and are the UK’s contribution to NATO’s Forward Land Forces the nations.
The British Army’s presence in the Baltic state of Estonia and easter Europe’s Poland is its closest proximity to a real-world conflict with the former sharing a land border with Russia while Poland neighbours Ukraine as well as Belarus where Russian troops and nuclear weapons are based.
Prince William visited the 900 troops in Estonia, the British Army’s biggest operational deployment overseas at the moment.
“A British Army Brigade is held at readiness and deploys its fighting power to secure NATO’s flank in Estonia and provide a reconnaissance capability in Poland,” the British Army explains.
“Operation Cabrit works alongside multiple NATO allies in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, showing the strength of NATO through its united commitment to the alliance’s collective security and defence.”
Gilbraltar
The Royal Gibraltar Regiment of the British Army is based at Devil’s Tower Camp in Gibraltar, made up of around 200 troops. The deployment is described as “a strategically important territory on the gateway of the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean” by the British Army.
Falklands
After the 1982 conflict, the UK established a garrison on the Falkland Islands, made up of Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and British Army personnel.
Relations with Argentina have shifted dramatically since yet the constant garrison remains with the British Army supplying air defence and Infantry specialists.
The island’s rugged terrain and South Atlantic climate also provide unique training opportunities for troops based at Mount Pleasant.
Belize
The British Army’s largest training base in the Caribbean is based in Belize with the British Army Training Support Unit Belize (BATSUB) being operated by 12 permanent staff and employing more than 100 locals.
“The Unit carries out up to five dismounted close combat exercises per year of varying sizes,” according to the British Army.
It also hosts the final exercise of the notoriously tough British Army Platoon Commander’s Battle Course.
Cyprus
The British Sovereign bases of Episkopi and Dhekelia are located in Cyprus with the British Army garrisoning these strongholds with soldiers who stand ready to support the UK’s response to crisis in the region.
The British Army also supports local law enforcement with counter-poaching operations and contributes troops to the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus under Operation TOSCA to promote peace and security on the island.
Kenya
British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) is the British Army’s largest deployment of soldiers in Africa, based out of Laikipia Air Base.
Here, the British Army regularly conducts joint training with the Kenyan Defence Forces as well as outreach and engagement programmes such as support to the replanting of forestry and pop-up medical clinics in remote regions which treat thousands of patients in areas that have limited regular access to healthcare.
Brunei
British Forces Brunei is supported by a battalion of the British Army’s Royal Gurkha Rifles. This base, once again, offers a unique environment for military training due to its jungle terrain, making the battalion one of the premier jungle warfare specialists in the world.
British Forces Brunei also stand prepared to contribute to regional peace and security, regularly training to deliver humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in crises.