The 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (2 SCOTS) were the first British Army unit to test new warfighting technology during Exercise Spring Storm 26, a defensive NATO exercise in Estonia.
2 SCOTS role as part of the UK’s Forward Land Forces, was to support Estonia’s national and collective defence, integrating into Estonian and NATO defence plans.
As part of 4th Light Brigade, 2 SCOTS, who formed the main battlegroup, conducted realistic battlefield training alongside other NATO partners and were tasked to defend against an incursion in the south-eastern part of Estonia, within 25kms of the Russian border.
The exercise was conducted across public and private land and included urban, rural, and forested environments and although no strangers to the Estonian landscape, 2 SCOTS were the first unit to experiment with loitering munition (drone technology).
When asked if this technology changes the way in which soldiers are operating, Captain Lachlan Broad, Adjutant 2 SCOTS said:
“It definitely changes the way we are operating. It moves us away from the old school approach of using binoculars and various night sights which we used to get ‘eyes on’ and allows us to see beyond our line of sight to anything that may encroach into our battlespace.
Using this technology now means we have sensors that can quite accurately plot out an enemy moving into our area and we can then isolate the target and launch various effectors for prosecution.”
"Using this technology now means we have sensors that can quite accurately plot out enemy moving into our area and we can then isolate the target and launch various effectors for prosecution."
Drones are also referred to as unmanned aerial vehicles and those being used by defence are designed to increase lethality. The British Army’s modernisation enhances survivability and defensive capability, not escalation.
During Exercise Spring Storm, 2 SCOTS were also furnished with an array of modern systems which included a Dismounted Data System; a software system used to connect sensors, weapons and command centre.
Captain Broad added:
“The additional piece of technology we have been using on this exercise is the DDS system. This is very similar to a mobile phone and connects to a radio which allows soldiers to speak and communicate securely during the exercise. It gives soldiers wider situational awareness at tactical level and is another mechanism to plan movement.”
The concept is similar to using mobile phones and GPS, which people are commonly used to. The soldiers have embraced the technology and its benefits, modernising their warfighting capability.”
"The concept is similar to using mobile phones and GPS, which people are commonly used to. The soldiers have embraced the technology and its benefits, modernising their warfighting capability."
Exercise Spring Storm demonstrated the deployment of NATO’s Forward Land Force designed to protect and bolster the defences of Europe’s northern and eastern flanks.
NATO presence in Estonia is persistent, proportionate, and fully aligned with international law.
The British Army is recruiting right now to fill 10,000 jobs across the UK with more than 200 roles to choose from, covering everything from frontline combat and cyber security to helicopter pilots, chefs, and support roles. If you’re aged 16 to 50 and if you want to find out more about a career in the Army, visit the Army Jobs website.
UK's Sky Sabre defends British soil in NATO exercise
