Operations
In recent years the British Army has been involved in a number of major operations as a force for good in the world. It has helped to build a safer world in the Balkans, the Gulf, East Timor, Afghanistan and most recently Iraq.
The last few years have been the busiest time in the Army for the last 40 years, with the Army working closely with the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. Many troops are deployed as part of multi-national forces in the Balkans, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone and with the UN in Cyprus. The Army also has garrison forces in Brunei, Cyprus, Germany, Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands.
Operation TELIC (Iraq) has shown us that Britain still needs forces that can operate effectively on the ground, whether to enforce and keep the peace or to take and hold territory. Now, more than ever, there is the need to have forces which are deployable and mobile, but that have sufficient protection and firepower for high-intensity conflict.
The British Army is one of the few armies capable of operating at all these different levels, from helping civilian communities to peace-keeping and to warfighting.
Afghanistan
UK troops form part of The NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), in Afghanistan at the invitation of the Afghan Government and with UN authorisation.
Read more about operations in Afghanistan
Iraq
Armed Forces from the United Kingdom are helping the Iraqis to secure and rebuild their country after years of neglect and conflict, in support of the Government of Iraq.
Read more about operations in Iraq
Balkans
The drawdown of troops between March 2009 and 1 September 2009 reflects the significant progress made by Kosovo in reinforcing stability and the changing requirements of the NATO force in Kosovo (KFOR).
Read more about operations in the Balkans