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  • 21 Nov 2025

Army explosive specialists prepare to keep Britain safe

Police officers secure a residential area with caution tape while military personnel unload equipment from a truck.

Army explosive disposal experts have played a vital role on a major counter terrorism exercise.

Soldiers in camouflage uniforms sit in the back of a white van while speaking to a police officer wearing a hi-vis vest.
A soldier in a camouflage uniform rolls out a sheet of plastic in front of a white bomb disposal van.
People in swimming costumes walk towards a firefighter. They are being sprayed by a hose.
Group of emergency responders in high-visibility jackets gathered near a yellow NHS ambulance during a coordinated operation.
Soldiers in camouflage uniforms gathered outdoors around a whiteboard as one explains a tactical plan using diagrams and notes.
Three individuals in camouflage hazmat suits and gas masks prepare for a hazardous environment near a vehicle.
A soldier in a camouflage hazmat suit stands by a cordon.
A sand coloured bomb disposal robot sits in a room. It is looking at a bag on a bed.
Police officers secure a residential area with caution tape while military personnel unload equipment from a truck.
Soldiers in camouflage uniforms sit in the back of a white van while speaking to a police officer wearing a hi-vis vest.

An explosive ordnance disposal team speak to a police officer while dealing with a suspect device.

A soldier in a camouflage uniform rolls out a sheet of plastic in front of a white bomb disposal van.

Lance Corporal Large-Taylor prepares a decontamination area after discovering the device is a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threat.

People in swimming costumes walk towards a firefighter. They are being sprayed by a hose.

A firefighter hoses down simulated patients.

Group of emergency responders in high-visibility jackets gathered near a yellow NHS ambulance during a coordinated operation.

Multiple agencies gather during a Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Principles huddle.

Soldiers in camouflage uniforms gathered outdoors around a whiteboard as one explains a tactical plan using diagrams and notes.

An explosive ordnance disposal team deal with a suspect device.

Three individuals in camouflage hazmat suits and gas masks prepare for a hazardous environment near a vehicle.

A specialist team of explosive ordnance disposal experts prepare to approach the device.

A soldier in a camouflage hazmat suit stands by a cordon.

A chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear decontamination area is set up by the technical response force.

A sand coloured bomb disposal robot sits in a room. It is looking at a bag on a bed.

The Harris bomb disposal robot deals with a suspect device.

A firefighter hoses down simulated patients.

Police officers secure a residential area with caution tape while military personnel unload equipment from a truck.

Police stand on the cordon as explosive ordnance disposal staff deal with a suspect device.

Soldiers in camouflage uniforms sit in the back of a white van while speaking to a police officer wearing a hi-vis vest.
A soldier in a camouflage uniform rolls out a sheet of plastic in front of a white bomb disposal van.
People in swimming costumes walk towards a firefighter. They are being sprayed by a hose.
Group of emergency responders in high-visibility jackets gathered near a yellow NHS ambulance during a coordinated operation.
Soldiers in camouflage uniforms gathered outdoors around a whiteboard as one explains a tactical plan using diagrams and notes.
Three individuals in camouflage hazmat suits and gas masks prepare for a hazardous environment near a vehicle.
A soldier in a camouflage hazmat suit stands by a cordon.
A sand coloured bomb disposal robot sits in a room. It is looking at a bag on a bed.
Police officers secure a residential area with caution tape while military personnel unload equipment from a truck.

The Army’s specialist Technical Response Force (TRF), part of 29 Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search (29 EOD&S) Group, joined emergency services and partner agencies to test how they would respond to a threat involving chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive devices.

The key to our success has been the development of close personal relationships at every level..."

Colonel Darren Fisher, Commander 29 EOD&S Group

Around 600 personnel practised dealing with a complex simulated incident involving hazardous material releases and improvised explosive devices.

The TRF worked through realistic scenarios, discovering suspicious items in buildings and vehicles they had to render safe and forensically investigate.

Exercise a great success

Colonel Darren Fisher, Commander of 29 EOD&S Group, said: “The exercise was a great success. It assured the TRF capability for the Home Office and demonstrated the close relationship between the Army, emergency services, multi-agency partners and other government departments.

“The key to our success has been the development of close personal relationships at every level and multi-agency training to improve co-operation and understanding.

“It gives me great pleasure to command such a professional and diverse group of dedicated, well-trained service personnel and science partners to keep our country safe.”

Protecting the public

Army explosive ordnance disposal teams form a crucial part of Britain's response to such threats. Their role involves neutralising dangerous devices in the UK or other territories under British sovereignty, working in support of emergency services to protect the public.

Our outstanding British Armed Forces bring deep expertise, demonstrating their critical role in defending the homeland."

Minister for the Armed Forces, Alistair Carns

The exercise in Papworth, Cambridgeshire, this month, allowed the TRF to test its plans in challenging conditions, demonstrating specialist capabilities and agency partnering during national emergencies.

While attacks using chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive materials are much less likely than conventional attacks, the National Risk Register identifies them as a major threat to national security. The Army maintains specialist teams ready to respond at short notice.

Critical role in defending the homeland

Minister for the Armed Forces, Alistair Carns, said: “Our outstanding British Armed Forces bring deep expertise, demonstrating their critical role in defending the homeland. Exercises like this show how the military is integral to keeping Britian safe and secure at home.”

The Ministry of Defence and Home Office run these exercises every year to keep skills sharp and ensure effective coordination.

The successful exercise shows how the TRF delivers on the government's commitment to national security. The Army's deep expertise in handling dangerous materials provides critical protection for the homeland against evolving threats.

Members of Headquarters 29 EOD&S Group, 11 EOD&S Regiment Royal Logistic Corps, and 33 Engineer Regiment EOD&S, were joined by 42 Engineer Regiment (Geographic), and 10 Signal Regiment, and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, on the TRF, alongside Counter Terror Police, and Fire and Ambulance services.