This year’s British Army EXPO, held from 9 to 13 September at Wellington Barracks, London, ran with the slogan ‘The Army The Nation Needs’ and offered a comprehensive overview of the British Army’s current capabilities and strategic vision for the future.
A collection of exhibitions was held and aimed to showcase the strengths of the contemporary British Army, highlighting advancements in existing technology and the Army’s most valuable resource, its personnel.
Attended by high-ranking military officials, key decision-makers, and prominent figures from the defence sector, it featured an evening hosted by General Sir Roland Walker, Chief of General Staff in which General Walker provided a comprehensive outline of the Army’s strategies for addressing both current and forthcoming challenges.
The theme for this year was ‘The Army The Nation Needs’ and while the expo aimed to engage, inspire, and energize attendees, it also served to instil confidence in the Army’s ability to confront future threats effectively.
Over the past thirty years, the British Army has undergone a profound change. From technological advancements to strategic innovations, our capabilities have evolved to meet the demands of a rapidly changing global security landscape.
Major Matt Selby, Futures Directorate
The event served as a reminder to attendees that the UK’s national defence strategy is anchored in NATO, emphasizing the necessity of robust and credible land forces for the UK to effectively exert influence and leadership within the alliance. This segment of the Army’s presentation highlighted the importance of alliances, referencing both “our international allies and partners” in a combined context and “our Naval and Airforce colleagues” in a joint context. As guests departed from the Combined Joint Operations Centre, they emerged into the daylight, where, under the vigilant observation of drones, they gained insight into military modernization and were introduced to members of the Ranger Regiment.
Members of the Ranger Regiment showcased their advancements in technology, featuring ear defenders, integrated radios, and the ability to transmit and receive complex digital data packages in operational settings. In alignment with the concept of agile, highly mobile forces, a Jackal 2 vehicle was presented. This Jackal 2, equipped with two fuel containers, is capable of operating over a distance of 1000 kilometres.
The audience was provided with a clear illustration of the transformations achieved over the past decade in terms of troop and equipment modernization, contributing to the vision of ‘The Army The Nation Needs.’ Additionally, an upgraded AJAX was available to highlight the latest enhancements, including the transition from manual reloading every six rounds to automatic firing capabilities.
