Just a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace, behind a metal fence and in front of thousands of summer tourists, the famous Wellington Barracks has been transformed from a location more used to seeing ceremonial drill, to an open air theatre telling the story of the British Army today, tomorrow and the future.
The British Army Expo London 2023 (Army Expo) will be taking place at Wellington Barracks in London from the 18 to 20 July. The three day event will demonstrate to an audience of invited guests the value the Army brings both at home and overseas and will highlight how its mobilisation and modernisation programme is progressing, as well as outlining its vision for the future.
Today will illustrate the Army’s vision for the future. We will give you an insight into the quality of our people, their contribution at home and abroad, and reflect on the profound impact that the war in Ukraine has had on our national security and on our Army.
In a specially recorded video, General Sir Patrick Sanders, Chief of the General Staff will welcome guests to the event saying:
“Today will illustrate the Army’s vision for the future. We will give you an insight into the quality of our people, their contribution at home and abroad, and reflect on the profound impact that the war in Ukraine has had on our national security and on our Army.”
Like a play of three acts, Army Expo will focus on a number of areas where the audience will be invited to listen to a story told by a cast of serving soldiers and officers, explaining its purpose, plans and transformation priorities for the next decade.
The Audience
Made up of Ministers, senior leaders from across Defence and other Governmental Departments, as well as stakeholders and industry players.
Act 1: What the British Army is actively involved with at home.
The guests will hear the lived experience of those involved, from answering the call at home requesting Military Assistance to Civilian Authorities (MACA), to supporting the NHS during COVID and the incredible work done by our bomb disposal teams. They will also see a flash of red and gold as guards and musicians reflect our ceremonial brilliance, a spectacle that was seen by over 2.5 billion viewers world-wide for the Coronation of King Charles III.
Act 2: How the UK has aided and benefited Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion and what we have learnt from it.
Visitors will watch as two vehicle ‘curtains’ are drawn. They reveal a Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank standing amid smoke from vehicle wreckage and building debris of a Ukrainian street, a scene so often witnessed on recent news bulletins.
Commentary is provided by members of the Royal Armoured Corps as they explain about the equipment granted and the training given to members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the lessons we have learnt from them.
Expo opens a window to our plans to mobilise the Army, many of which are already in action and momentum is building. You will learn how we plan to enhance our commitment to NATO and re-think how we fight, all informed by a new aiming mark: the Land Operating Concept. Reaching this target demands a collective effort, including a rejuvenated partnership with industry to protect the nation and help it prosper.
The audience will then move into a low-lit marquee to look at How We Will Fight (HWF) 2026 – the improvement of readiness, resilience, competitiveness and how we make the most of what we have. Big screens and live representations will show how we will take the fight deeper, be leaner, lethal, and more agile at all levels.
Adds General Sanders:
“Expo opens a window to our plans to mobilise the Army, many of which are already in action and momentum is building. You will learn how we plan to enhance our commitment to NATO and re-think how we fight, all informed by a new aiming mark: the Land Operating Concept.
“Reaching this target demands a collective effort, including a rejuvenated partnership with industry to protect the nation and help it prosper.”
Act 3: Working closely with industry partners and shaping up for the future.
The ongoing relationship with UK Defence industry partners has again highlighted how companies working with the Army on equipment contracts have had a significant effect on their success. These multi-million-pound ventures rubber stamped and approved by the MoD have resulted in job creation and security for staff, leading to prosperity for local economies and for the companies themselves and which has led to contracts being agreed with international clients for future orders.
The final scene provides a message leaving the audience confident that the Army is thinking carefully about its future, deep into the 2030’s. This will be critical in shaping its investment plan and setting the right force structures that will ensure it is ready and equipped to protect the UK for the next decade and beyond.
On exit from the finale, the guests will emerge into an area where they will be able to meet the cast against a backdrop of impressive equipment such as the upgraded Apache AH64E attack helicopter and the new AJAX and BOXER armoured vehicles, shining examples of the British Army’s battle winning capability which will be in service for decades to come.
Promoting a modern and highly mobile Army is a central factor of Army Expo. It aims to champion an Army with one eye committed to the present and another firmly set on the future.