Our Role

The Infantry is at the heart of the Army. It is at the core of the Army’s Ground Close Combat capability.
Our Infanteers are trained to out-think, outwit, outmanoeuvre, outfight, and outlast any adversary, anywhere.
They are ready to operate across a very range of challenging climatic and geographical environments, amongst diverse populations, and alongside allies.

The Infantry of the British Army is based on the tried and tested regimental system. Built on hundreds of years of history from their antecedents, our regiments embody the esprit de corps that has sustained their success on operations all over the World. 

A regiment is made up of one or more regular battalions and in most cases includes an associated Army Reserve battalion.

Our Infanteers are the Army’s close combat warriors, trained to be ready for anything, anytime, anywhere.

Here’s what each battalion specialises in.

Armoured Infantry

Armoured Infantry Battalions are equipped with the Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle.

Specialist in armoured warfare within our armoured brigades they are able deliver highly manoeuvrable, fast moving firepower to protect the UK.

With this protected fighting vehicle, our Infanteers are delivered very close to their objective before dismounting and capturing the position whilst still supported by the considerable firepower of the Warrior's weapon systems.

Under Future Soldier, Armoured Infantry Battalions will become Heavy Mechanised Battalions equipped with the Boxer Armoured Vehicle.

Mechanised Infantry

Mechanised Infantry battalions use the Mastiff protected patrol vehicle to cover large distances quickly.

This heavily armoured, 6 x six-wheel-drive vehicle carries eight troops, plus two crew, and is the newest in a range of protected patrol vehicles being used for operations.

Similar to the Light Mechanised role, Infanteers are ready to dismount and operate on foot to patrol and engage in close combat.

Under Future Soldier, Mechanised Infantry Battalions will become Heavy Mechanised Battalions equipped with the Boxer Armoured Vehicle.

Security Force Assistance Infantry

Future Soldier builds on the Specialised Infantry Group model of regionally focused units with the new Security Force Assistance (SFA) battalions. They  will operate with conventional partners in permissive environments.

They will complement the discreet partnering that Army Ranger battalions will deliver in high-risk environments.

The will be part of the 11th Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB). The new SFAB will be persistently engaged across the globe. It will commission, design, deliver and assess security force assistance activity to inform regional Defence strategies and it will reduce the likelihood of having to fight wars through its deterrent effect while retaining the ability to set the conditions for the warfighting division to act, if necessary.