Fearless pioneers of modern warfare
Forged in the adversity of World War One, the Royal Tank Regiment (RTR) is the oldest tank unit in the world. Its arsenal includes the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank, the Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle, and the Bulldog 2 Armoured Personnel Carrier.
Active from:
2 August 2014
Role:
Armour
Specialism:
Challenger 2
Whether mounted on a Challenger 2 tank or driving a Panther patrol vehicle, soldiers in the Royal Tank Regiment are experts in seizing the initiative. They engage in close combat and shock action against enemy forces, living up to our motto: ‘Fear Naught’.
- Close combat
- Shock action
- Aggressive mobile action
- Destruction of enemy armour
- Surveillance
- Target acquisition
- Reconnaissance
- Conducting patrols
The Royal Tank Regiment is currently deployed on training exercises around the world.
Past Deployments:
- Operation Herrick (Afghanistan)
- Operation Telic (Iraq)
- Operation Cabrit (Estonia)
We recruit from across the UK, with an emphasis on the South West, Merseyside, London and Scotland.
Wherever they’re from, our soldiers live by the regimental ethos of professionalism and excellence.
The Royal Tank Regiment is based in Tidworth, Wiltshire on Salisbury Plain.
Get DirectionsThe RTR specialises in shock action: the use of sudden, violent force to overwhelm and destroy the enemy, usually from the cockpit of a Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank.
As well as providing a physical advantage, the Royal Tank Regiment plays an important psychological role: the sight of their Challenger 2 tanks rolling across the battlefield is both intimidating for the enemy and encouraging for fellow British Army forces.
The regiment also uses the Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle to gather information about local terrain and seek out enemy units for destruction.
There is a real sense of achievement.

Our Customs
The RTR have an unmistakeable look throughout the Army as we wear black berets, black coveralls, and black boots. This is due to the Regiment working on armoured fighting vehicles and therefore we require robust clothing that avoids stains.
The carrying of an ash plant in ceremonial uniform by officers is a tribute to the tank commanders who led their vehicles into battle on foot, testing the treacherous ground of No-Man’s Land using ash plants.
Squadron Leaders wear the name of their Squadrons on their coveralls and are referred to by the Squadron name as well.
RTR tanks each have a name which dates back to the names of the machine guns from the Heavy Branch of the Machine Gun Corps. The Squadron Leader’s tank is named after the name of their Squadron.
Operation Cabrit
The RTR deployed on our first Operation Cabrit tour to Estonia in March 2021 with Badger Squadron deploying under the 1 Mercian Battlegroup. Included in the tour was Exercise Spring Storm, a large scale deployment marking the end of the annual training cycle for Estonian conscripts.
The RTR Battlegroup replaced the 1 Mercian Battlegroup in September 2021 which saw Dreadnaught and Egypt Squadrons deploy. This deployment was extended allowing a Brigade level exercise. This was conducted across public land and was an opportunity to test the Battlegroup’s readiness.
Due to the extension to the RTR’s deployment, we overlapped with 1 Royal Welsh Battlegroup’s deployment in March 2022 which included Ajax Squadron - who deployed to Estonia from Germany.

Past to present
Tanks were first used during the Battle of the Somme, and the creation of the Royal Tank Regiment soon followed. The Regiment has been deployed on all major conflicts since the end of the Second World War, during which time it has earned a reputation for fearlessness and professionalism.
The Heavy Section of the Machine Gun Corps is formed.
The Regiment is given the official status of Tank Corps.
The Royal Tank Corps becomes the Royal Tank Regiment.
Various RTR regiments are amalgamated.
The 5th Royal Tank Regiment is disbanded.
The Royal Tank Regiment becomes a single battalion regiment.
List of equipment used
Fuchs is able to detect Chemical, Radiological and Nuclear hazards through Area Survey and Reconnaissance.
Weighing 7-tonnes, the Panther is air transportable and can be underslung beneath a Chinook helicopter.
Contact Us
Please feel free to contact us. We are keen to hear from individuals who have the skills to work with us.
Email: [email protected]
Address: Royal Tank Regiment, Aliwal Barracks, Tidworth SP9 7BB