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The basic building bricks of the Infantry Battalion are the platoon and
the section.
Under normal circumstances, the whole platoon with the exception of the
LMG (Light Machine Gun) gunners are armed with IW SA80 (Individual
Weapon).
In an armoured or mechanised battalion, the platoon vehicles could be
either Warrior or AFV 432 variants.
Platoons in armoured or mechanised infantry
battalions are armed with the LAW 80 for anti tank operations. The LAW 80
is issued to other types of infantry battalion when a tank threat exists.
All riflemen in the platoon carry a rifle grenade sight which can be
attached to the SA80. In combat each SA80 user is also issued with two
'Bullet Catcher' rifle grenades. This grenade is simply pushed onto the
end of the barrel and an ordinary 5.56 mm round fired into it. The grenade
absorbs the bullet without damage and is projected towards the target up
to 150 m away.
Under normal circumstances expect a British infantry platoon to resemble
the organisation in the following diagram:
Note: (1) In Mechanised & Light Bns a fourth 'Manoeuvre Support
Section' with 2 x GPMGs in the light role and is carried in the existing
platoon transport. Sustained Fire tripod equipment for the Man Sp Sect
GPMGs is carried by the CQMS. The 51mm Mortar men from Pl HQ are grouped
with this fourth section which is commanded by a Corporal but controlled
by the Pl HQ.
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