The Royal Artillery (RA) is one of the oldest and most versatile branches of the British Army, playing a pivotal role in the United Kingdom’s military operations for over three centuries. It provides firepower support to infantry and armored units, utilizing advanced artillery systems, air defense, and surveillance assets. This article explores the organizational structure, types of regiments, and their key functions within the Royal Artillery.
Royal Artillery Organizational Structure
The Royal Artillery consists of several regiments, each specialized in different aspects of artillery and air defense. These units are organized into brigades and divisions as part of the British Army’s broader command structure. The regiments are typically divided into batteries, the basic operational units, which perform specific roles such as operating artillery systems, delivering air defense, or conducting surveillance.
Types of Royal Artillery Regiments
Royal Artillery regiments are broadly categorized based on their operational roles:
Field Artillery Regiments
Field artillery regiments provide indirect fire support to maneuver forces. They operate a variety of artillery systems, including the AS90 self-propelled howitzer and the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). These regiments are crucial for delivering precision strikes, counter-battery fire, and suppressive fire.
Air Defense Regiments
Air defense regiments are tasked with protecting forces from aerial threats, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft. The primary weapon systems include the Starstreak High-Velocity Missile (HVM) and the Sky Sabre system, the latter offering medium-range air defense with advanced radar integration.
Surveillance and Target Acquisition Regiments
These regiments specialize in locating enemy positions and directing fire support. They utilize advanced radar systems like MAMBA (Mobile Artillery Monitoring Battlefield Radar) and drones such as the Watchkeeper UAV to provide real-time intelligence.
Coastal and Maritime Artillery
Historically significant but no longer active, coastal artillery regiments defended strategic maritime locations. While disbanded, their legacy remains an essential part of the Royal Artillery’s history.
Specialist Regiments
Some regiments focus on unique capabilities, such as the operation of nuclear-capable systems during the Cold War era or supporting Joint Fires and Effects with allied forces. These units often work in joint or multinational environments.
Key Regiments of the Royal Artillery
Several Royal Artillery regiments have gained prominence due to their distinguished service histories and specialized roles:
- 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery (7 Para RHA): This regiment provides artillery support to the 16 Air Assault Brigade, Britain’s rapid reaction force. It specializes in light artillery systems like the L118 Light Gun, which are air-portable and adaptable to diverse environments.
- 26th Regiment Royal Artillery: Known as the “Black Watch,” this regiment operates the MLRS and is a cornerstone of the UK’s deep fire capabilities.
- 16th Regiment Royal Artillery: The primary air defense regiment, it is responsible for deploying the Sky Sabre system and Starstreak missiles.
- 47th Regiment Royal Artillery: Specializes in drone operations and surveillance, using the Watchkeeper UAV for reconnaissance missions.
Regular Army Regiments
The Regular Army component of the Royal Artillery consists of 14 regiments, including the ceremonial King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery. These regiments are equipped with a variety of artillery systems and are stationed at key military installations throughout the UK.
Here is a comprehensive list of the Regular Army regiments, their primary equipment, and their respective locations:
The King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery
A ceremonial unit equipped with 13-pounder guns for firing Royal Salutes, based at Woolwich Garrison, London.
1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
Equipped with AS90 self-propelled artillery, stationed at Larkhill Garrison.
3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
Known as ‘The Liverpool and Manchester Gunners,’ equipped with Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), based at Albemarle Barracks near Newcastle upon Tyne.
7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
‘The Airborne Gunners,’ equipped with L118 105mm light guns, part of 16th Air Assault Brigade, located at Merville Barracks, Colchester.
4th Regiment Royal Artillery
‘The North East Gunners,’ equipped with L118 105mm light guns, stationed at Alanbrooke Barracks, Topcliffe.
5th Regiment Royal Artillery
‘The Yorkshire Gunners,’ specializing in Surveillance and Target Acquisition, based at Marne Barracks, Catterick, North Yorkshire.
12th Regiment Royal Artillery
‘The Lancashire and Cumbrian Gunners,’ the Army’s Close Support Air Defence unit equipped with Starstreak HVM on Stormer vehicles, located at Baker Barracks, Thorney Island.
14th Regiment Royal Artillery
The Training and Support Regiment, based at Stirling Barracks, Larkhill Garrison.
16th Regiment Royal Artillery
‘The London Invicta Gunners,’ the Army’s Medium Range Air Defence unit equipped with Sky Sabre, stationed at Baker Barracks, Thorney Island.
19th Regiment Royal Artillery
‘The Scottish Gunners,’ equipped with ARCHER wheeled self-propelled howitzers, AS90, and MSTAR radar, based at Larkhill Garrison.
26th Regiment Royal Artillery
‘The West Midland Gunners,’ equipped with MLRS and Exactor 2, located at Larkhill Garrison.
29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery
‘The Commando Gunners,’ equipped with L118 105mm light guns, part of UK Commando Force, with batteries at the Royal Citadel, Plymouth; RM Poole; and RM Condor, Arbroath.
32nd Regiment Royal Artillery
‘The Wessex Gunners,’ specializing in Unmanned Air Vehicles, based at Roberts Barracks, Larkhill.
47th Regiment Royal Artillery
‘The Hampshire and Sussex Gunners,’ operating the Thales Watchkeeper WK450, stationed at Horne Barracks, Larkhill.
Army Reserve Regiments
The Army Reserve component comprises seven regiments, each providing vital support and specialized capabilities to the Regular Army. These units are dispersed across various locations, enhancing the operational flexibility of the Royal Artillery.
Below is a detailed list of the Army Reserve regiments, their primary equipment, and their respective locations:
100th (Yeomanry) Regiment Royal Artillery
A specialist pool of gunnery instructors, naval gunfire liaison officers, and forward air controllers, based at Royal Artillery Barracks, Woolwich Garrison, with batteries in Larkhill Garrison and Bath.
101 (Northumbrian) Regiment Royal Artillery
Equipped with Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), with batteries in Gateshead, Blyth, Newcastle, Hexham, South Shields, Catterick, and Leeds.
103 (Lancashire Artillery Volunteers) Regiment Royal Artillery
Equipped with L118 light gun, with batteries in St Helens, Bolton, Liverpool, Manchester, Bulwell, and Wolverhampton.
104 Regiment Royal Artillery
Equipped with the L118 light gun, with batteries in Newport, Abertillery, Bristol, Worcester, and Plymouth.
105 Regiment Royal Artillery
‘The Scottish & Ulster Gunners,’ equipped with the L118 light gun, with batteries in Edinburgh, Newtownards, Coleraine, Glasgow, Arbroath, Kirkcaldy, Shetland, and Livingston.
106 (Yeomanry) Regiment Royal Artillery
The Army’s only Reserve Air Defence unit, equipped with the Starstreak missile, with batteries in Grove Park, Portsmouth, and Southampton.
