|
Background to the Future Army Structure (FAS)
During
December 2004 the UK MoD made the following announcement regarding FAS.
“The current structure of the Army is based on the most demanding tasks it
has to be able to conduct, namely large-scale war-fighting. Experience in
the way that the Field Army has been structured in the last seven years
has shown that this does not suit the pattern of concurrent medium and
small-scale operations that it has been routinely exposed to, particularly
for key enablers. FAS will ensure that the Army is structured for the most
likely tasks with a true war-fighting capability at its core, whilst
retaining the ability to generate for the most demanding tasks.
The requirement to mount expeditionary operations at medium and small
scale more rapidly requires a re-balancing from heavy forces to a lighter,
more deployable structure. The three mechanised brigades will take on a
rapid intervention medium weight role, although it is recognised that they
will not achieve the full level of deployability required until the
introduction of new air-portable platforms, particularly the Future Rapid
Effect System (FRES).
In addition to FRES, the Army’s contribution to effects-based warfare will
be enhanced by the introduction of the APACHE attack helicopter as well as
long range precision attack munitions from 155 mm guns and rockets and
improved Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance
(ISTAR) capabilities. These are in addition to digitised communications
(BOWMAN and FALCON), under the umbrella of Networked Enabled Capability
(NEC), which aim to link more closely sensors, decision-makers and weapons
systems.
Greater emphasis on expeditionary capability will mean that combat service
support units will form robust brigade logistic groups and ensure more
force elements are closely matched in readiness and training terms to the
combat elements that they are supporting.
Operations TELIC and VERITAS have marked the emergence of the TA as the
reserve of first choice to support our land forces on operations. Greater
integration into the restructured FAS Army will make the TA even more
useable and deployable. TA personnel will continue to contribute to
enduring commitments on a voluntary basis as they have been doing so
effectively over the last few years.
Timetable
FAS Implementation will not happen overnight. FAS has been in the planning
stages for several months and a detailed implementation plan has been
endorsed by the Army Board and its timetable is as follows:
a. Phase 1. Now until end of 2008. Structural changes. 4 Armoured
Brigade will re-role to a mechanised brigade and 19 Mechanised Brigade
will re-role to a light brigade via an interim structure.
b. Phase 2. 2008-2012. Infrastructure adjustments in place. FRES
experimentation carried out.
c. Phase 3. Beyond 2012. FRES and full range of ISTAR, NEC, deep
target attack and Air Manoeuvre capabilities delivered.
Summary
FAS aims to produce a war-fighting Army, geared for expeditionary
operations, structured for the most likely tasks at brigade level but able
to generate forces for less frequent but larger deployments. It will be
balanced in combat capability, able to deploy, support and maintain forces
on operations, with integrated reserves and more predictable tour
intervals.
FAS will produce an agile, balanced, intervention capability consisting of
medium and light forces underpinned by effective, capable heavy forces
able to conduct operations across the full spectrum of conflict.
|
