Learn and explore

Army careers

Support and training

News and events

Visit Army Jobs
  • Ready for Anything

The Parachute Regiment

The Parachute Regiment leads from the front as airborne Infantry. Of the four battalions, one is permanently at High Readiness for world wide intervention operations. 1 PARA is in role as the Special Forces Support Group

The Parachute Regiment is the airborne infantry regiment of the British Army. The 1st Battalion is permanently under the command of the Director Special Forces in the Special Forces Support Group (SFSG). The other battalions are the parachute infantry component of the British Army's rapid response formation, 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team.

Paratroopers are trained to conduct a range of missions, from prevention and pre-emption tasks, to complex, high intensity war fighting. Watchwords are professionalism, resilience, discipline, versatility, courage and self-reliance.

Apply now
Active from

1 August 1942

Role

Airborne Infantry

Specialism

Air Assault

The “PARAS” provide the capability to deploy at very short notice, by air, worldwide. We are trained to an exacting standard and form the spearhead of the UK’s rapid intervention strategy. We are professional, resilient, brave and self-reliant.

  • Military Parachutist: Key to hostile entry
  • Agile, lightly equipped warriors
  • High levels of Physical robustness
  • Versatility in operations and training
  • Self reliant in the field
  • Innovative in problem solving
  • Resilient, mentally tough - we bend not break
  • Loyal and committed to our friends

Among the many deployments made by the Parachute Regiment some of the more recent ones include:

Merville Barracks is a modern, purpose built barracks for 16 Air Assault Brigade. Many units are based there including 2 and 3 PARA, Artillery, Medics, Signallers, Logisticians as well as 16 Brigade Combat Team Headquarters. 

  • 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment

    Merville Barracks, Colchester 01206 817083

  • 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment

    Merville Barracks, Colchester 01206 817083

  • 4th Battalion the Parachute Regiment

    Thornbury Barracks, Leeds 01904 664566

P Company is the elite selection course for the Parachute Regiment.  The video below gives you a taster of what this bespoke course entails.

 

To find out more about joining the Parachute Regiment, click the link below.

Find out more

“What manner of men are these who wear the maroon red beret? They are firstly all volunteers, and are then toughened by hard physical training. As a result they have that infectious optimism and that offensive eagerness which comes from physical well being. They have jumped from the air and by doing so have conquered fear. Their duty lies in the van of the battle: they are proud of this honour and have never failed in any task. They have the highest standards in all things, whether it be skill in battle or smartness in the execution of all peace time duties. They have shown themselves to be as tenacious and determined in defence as they are courageous in attack. They are, in fact, men apart – every man an Emperor.” Field Marshal The Viscount Montgomery of Alamein

a line of soldiers with maroon berets

Through the years

The Parachute Regiment were formed in the Second World War and, save 1968, have been in constant action since. Determined and courageous, they earned the nickname “Red Devils” from German Paras in North Africa. Heroic actions in Normandy, Arnhem, the Falklands and Afghanistan are cemented in Regimental folklore.

Following Winston Churchill’s decree in 1940, troops began training for airborne operations and The Parachute Regiment was formed on 1 Aug 1942 at a time of Total War. Churchill's Letter - Airborne Assault Museum

The “PARAS” earn their reputation for daring and their nickname 'The Red Devils' in North Africa, Italy, Normandy, Arnhem the Rhine crossing.
1942 - 1943 - Airborne Assault Museum
1944 - 1945 - Airborne Assault Museum

Post-war the Battalions conduct a series of operational tours in Palestine, Malaya, Suez, Cyprus, Jordan, Radfan, Borneo and Aden.
1946 - 1948 - Airborne Assault Museum
1948 - 1955 - Airborne Assault Museum
1956 - 1969 - Airborne Assault Museum

The Parachute Regiment rotated through emergency and residential tours of duty in Northern Ireland and counter insurgency operations at home as well as operational duty to stabilise threatened areas during the Cold War.  Throughout a turbulent period acts of bravery stand out, including Sgt Michael Willetts who was awarded the George Cross, the highest award for gallantry not in direct combat, for actions in Northern Ireland.
1969 - 1980 - Airborne Assault Museum

Following the invasion of the Falkland Islands, 2 and 3 PARA fight with distinction at Goose Green, Wireless Ridge and Mount Longdon.  Many Parachute Regiment personnel were decorated for gallantry for operations in the Falkland Islands, including the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in combat, was awarded to Lt Col Herbert Jones and Sgt Ian McKay.
Falklands (Operation Corporate) - Airborne Assault Museum

The Regiment was involved in operations in Kosovo, Sierra Leone and Rwanda, as well as continued tours of Northern Ireland.
1991 - 2000 - Airborne Assault Museum

The Regiment took part in operations in Iraq and in Afghanistan, where they were the first troops on the ground in 2001 and the last troops to leave in 2021.  Throughout this period of conflict many members of the Regiment were decorated with gallantry and state awards, of note, the Victoria Cross was awarded to Cpl Bryan Budd and LCpl Josh Leakey as well as the George Cross awarded to Cpl Mark Wright.
2001 - 2012 - Airborne Assault Museum

The Parachute Regiment provides the capability to deploy an infantry force at short notice in the most demanding circumstances.  Paratroopers have two unique roles: they are trained and ready to form the spearhead of the Army's Global Response Force, and they are an integral part of the United Kingdom's Special Forces.  The videos below are an example of some exercises the Regiment has been involved with.

 

Soldiers get ready to jump out of an aeroplane

Parachutists land

Parachutist in the sky

Soldier watches helicopter take off

Parachutist lands

Soldiers Load a weapon

Soldier in front with Parachutes falling behind

soldier salute with mountain in background

Shetland pony on parade

Plane flies across the sky dropping parachutes

soldier in trench with gun

Regimental mascot on Parade

view from aircraft with parachutes lined up

view from aircraft with parachutes lined up

soldiers jumping out of an aircraft

soldier with dust cloud

soldier in foreground whilst parachutes land behind

joint nation operations room

News

  • News
  • 28 Sept 2022
  • Equipment

Paras make first Atlas jump

Paratroopers have made the first low-level parachute descents from the Royal Air Force’s A400M Atlas C Mk1 as the aircraft develops its tactical capabilities. 

  • News
  • 5 Jul 2023
  • Training

US and UK reservists share parachute skills

Join us

Find out more about Full-time and Part-time roles in the Parachute Regiment

British Army Jobs

Contact us

Email: [email protected]

Address: Merville Barracks, Circular Road South, Colchester, Essex, CO2 7UT

View in maps

Find out more about us

Parachute Regimental Association: https://theparachuteregimentalassociation.com/about-us/who-are-the-paras/

Support Our Paras: https://supportourparas.org/

Airborne Assault Museum: A living history of The Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces - Airborne Assault Museum