The British Army in Belize
The British Army has maintained a presence in Belize since its independence. Currently the British Army Training Support Unit in Belize enables close country and tropical environment training to troops from the UK and international partners.
British Army Training Support
The British Army Training Support Unit Belize (BATSUB) is manned by 12 permanent staff and employs more than 100 local civilians.
The Unit carries out up to five dismounted close combat exercises per year of varying sizes. It also hosts the final exercise of the notoriously tough British Army Platoon Commander’s Battle Course, which runs three times a year.
A number of UK and Belize international partners conduct training in Belize. BATSUB is based in Price Barracks, which is also home to the Belize Defence Force.
We can’t use GPS because of the tree cover so we’re navigating with maps, bearings and pacing distances Sgt Ward, Jungle Warfare Instructor
Challenging Environment
Belize provides challenging terrain and an austere environment, giving the British Army a world-class training area.
It is used to teach our soldiers how to survive, live and fight in the jungle.
Soldiers learn skills in the jungle that are transferable to other environments and the training, though often gruelling, sets them up for success on future operations.
Exercise Mayan Warrior - Royal Dragoon Guards
Life in the Jungle
Jungle Warfare
The jungle has a variety of effects on military operations. Dense vegetation can limit lines of sight and arcs of fire, but can also provide ample opportunity for camouflage and plenty of material with which to build fortifications.
Training in this challenging environment requires your skills to be at their very best. If you can overcome the jungle and continue to fight you can fight anywhere
Fieldcraft and Survival
As one of the toughest environments our troops can find themselves operating in, there is no place for failure. You simply have to survive
There can be few fighting environments that are more austere, challenging and unforgiving than the jungle. The humidity, the heat, the insects — everything works against you.
It’s not an easy feat to survive in one of the planet’s toughest environments. But our armed forces have been doing it long before now…
Location
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British Army Training Support Belize (BATSUB)
Price Barracks
Price Barracks is a military installation located just north of Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport which is located in Ladyville some 8 miles to the north west of Belize City. It is the main base of the Belize Defence Force and also houses BATSUB.