Fast, flexible and fearless in combat
The Royal Dragoon Guards is an aggressive reconnaissance force. Its soldiers use an arsenal of armoured vehicles, including the Scimitar, to navigate all sorts of environments and terrains in search of enemy troops.
FACTS & FIGURES
ACTIVE FROM
1 August 1992
ROLE
Armoured Cavalry
SPECIALISM
Reconnaissance
our skills
As a reconnaissance unit, the Royal Dragoon Guards is fast, flexible and fearless. It carries out reconnaissance in close proximity with enemy forces, providing accurate, timely and continuous information to commanders in all weathers and across any terrain.
- Operating armoured vehicles
- Gathering and passing on intelligence
- Target acquisition
- Making tough judgement calls
- Radio communication
- Training foreign militaries
Very High Readiness Task Force
The Royal Dragoon Guards is in a high state of readiness for UK and NATO operations.
Past Deployments:
- Operation Orbital (Ukraine)
- Operation Herrick (Afghanistan)
Our People
While the Royal Dragoon Guards recruits from across the UK, it draws most of its soldiers from Ireland and the North of England, and Yorkshire in particular. They need to be perceptive, resourceful, and capable of thinking on their feet.



Alma Lines, Catterick Garrison
Alma Lines, Catterick Garrison
Located at Catterick Garrison in Yorkshire, the regiment comprises five squadrons: a command and support squadron, three sabre squadrons and a headquarters squadron.
The Royal Dragoon Guards
Each day is a new challenge Carter, 26
Our Role
The Royal Dragoon Guards is an armoured cavalry regiment. Highly skilled and versatile, they operate in front of their comrades using the Scimitar armoured reconnaissance vehicle, which gives them the ability to fight enemy troops in addition to carrying out their reconnaissance role.
As well as the Scimitar, Royal Dragoon Guards use the Spartan armoured personnel carrier and the Panther protected patrol vehicle to make their way around the battlefield and carry out reconnaissance.
Outside of their combat role, the regiment has provided mentoring to the Iraqi police force, and carried out emergency fire and rescue cover during fire brigade strikes back home in the UK.
Past to present
The Royal Dragoon Guards carries the history of four regiments: the 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards, the 5th Dragoon Guards, the 7th Dragoon Guards and the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons. All four were raised between 1685 and 1689, when James II and William of Orange fought for the English throne.
Our Locations
-
Alma Line
Alma Barracks, Ava Rd, Catterick Garrison DL9 3AQ
List of Equipment used
SCIMITAR ARMOURED RECONNAISSANCE VEHICLE
SPARTAN & CVR(T) VEHICLES
Panther
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Contact us
Please feel free to contact us. We are keen to hear from individuals who have the skills to work with us.