Thread by @nicholadrummond

UK STRIKE BRIGADE (Thread)
Today, I attended the RUSI presentation: STRIKE From Concept to Force by @Justin_Br0nk and @Jack_Watling Great work with sound thinking, but sadly an acceptance that the Army's vision must be tempered by an acceptance of limited resources.

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At its heart, Strike is more than just a “Medium Weight” capability. It defines a future operating model for the British Army. Strike Brigade agility buys time for more resilient Armd. Inf. Brigades to deploy. This is makes it an “enabler of divisional manoeuvre.”

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Strike Brigades are a recognition that heavy forces won't get there quickly enough to have an impact, while light forces won't have the firepower to make a difference even if they do get there in time.

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The aspiration is for Strike Brigades to self-deploy up to 2,000 kilometres, i.e. from the UK via the Channel to the Baltics by road. Boxer Mechanised Infantry Vehicles will be able to deploy independently, but Ajax CRVs will rely on Heavy Equipment Transporters (HETs).

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A force that "agile" and "resilient" can inflict damage and delay on an advancing enemy. By denying Russia, for example, a quick win in the Baltics, Strike Brigades will have a deterrent. They will make further attempts to annexe territory difficult and costly.

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A key aspect of Strike will be the ability of units to operate dispersed. With formations spread out over large areas of ground, potential adversaries will lack the artillery resources to engage all target opportunities.

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Strike Brigades will perform FOUR key functions:
1. Enable infantry to manoeuvre pre-emptively, to seize and hold ground, denying it to an advancing enemy.
2. Enable firepower reach to manoeuvre quickly so it can degrade an enemy's war fighting capability.

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3. Enable long distance raiding that disrupts enemy lines of communication, destroys GBAD, logistic supply dumps and breaks the Anti-Access / Area Denial bubble.
4. Enable rapid defence or attack in fast moving and fluid situations

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The essential components that will support these ambitions are:
- Reduced logistical footprint of Strike units + efficient CSS
- Resilient C2 and communications networks
- Artillery firepower (120mm mortars, HIMARS, Precision Fires & 155mm artillery)
- ATGM profusion

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Ultimately, Strike will give the Army unprecedented operational responsiveness and adaptability. These will allow it to be "unpredictable," which is exactly what will make it effective.

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