2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment (2 PARA) is deploying to the Afghan capital Kabul from late September as part of support the UK is providing to the Afghan Government.

The British Army say that their mission is to protect NATO military and civilian advisors working in government ministries, as well as UK mentors based at the Afghan National Army Officers’ Academy.

“The paratroopers are light infantrymen, used to operating on foot, and learning about working from the Foxhound patrol vehicles and civilian armoured vehicles – known as CAVs – used to move around the busy streets of Kabul is key preparation for the mission.

Exercise Kabul Convoy has seen the paratroopers training in Foxhounds on the STANTA ranges in Norfolk this week (29 Jul – 2 Aug) practising for scenarios which they could face in Kabul, such as convoy movements and recovering a broken-down vehicle.”

2 PARA’s training officer Captain Tom Shaw, said in a release:

“Our role in Kabul will be to provide force protection to the NATO advisers helping the development of the Afghan Army and Government. We will be protecting the mentors – who are diplomats, senior military officers and civil servants – when they go out to support training or attend meetings. We have been working with the Foxhound and CAVs for several months and our paratroopers have shown the flexibility to adapt to a different way of operating quite easily.”

350 paratroopers will start to deploy to Kabul at the end of September for the six-month tour.

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George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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Herodotus
Herodotus
4 years ago

I hope that vehicle recovery is not a reflection on the reliability of Foxhound! A bit embarrassing to have to take the bus home!

Helions
Helions
4 years ago

Strange as it seems, the vehicle recovery operation is one of the most dangerous since it gives time for the enemy to set up an ambush and await the recovery team…

Cheers

Cam
Cam
4 years ago
Reply to  Helions

Yeah, vehicles reliability should be top priority these days and changing flat tyres under fire should be a thing of the past with run flat and bulletproof tyres. Thankfully crews safety seems to be far better than when the second Iraq war started, land rover snatch and Humvees littered the missile East and normally had multiple fatality’s, the American JLTVs are much safer for crews compared to humvees and against IEDs and the foxhound looks far safer for crews. Is the British Army getting the Oshkosh JLTVs also?

Herodotus
Herodotus
4 years ago
Reply to  Cam

Good point…weren’t we supposed to be buying a whole rake of JLTVs. I read last year that Oshkosh were rather worried that we had not ordered them as we were offered an excellent deal!

BB85
BB85
4 years ago
Reply to  Herodotus

The treasury is a complete joke now. How is anyone in industry supposed to operate when a deal is agreed in principle but you never sign the dotted line. Is it any wonder the British armoured vehicle industry went to the wall.

Herodotus
Herodotus
4 years ago
Reply to  BB85

Indian procurement looks gold plated in comparison!

DaveyB
DaveyB
4 years ago
Reply to  Cam

When I was in Afghan the two Foxhounds we had, did us proud. Once the few teething problems were sorted, they were very reliable (They were delivered to us with only 20km on the clock). They felt safe, which is one of the key elements of going out on patrol. The wheels however, weigh a ton, so you won’t want to be changing those in a hurry in an urban area. It is better to get a tow bar attached and drag it out of harms way. We had a 2m rigid towbar slung down the side just for that… Read more »

john
john
4 years ago

Stay safe lads and all come home.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
4 years ago

What is the status of Foxhound?

Thought they were being withdrawn from the 6 Light Protected Mobility Battalions, which were reverting to Light Role.

Ian
Ian
4 years ago

Foxhound is being refurbished at General Dynamics UK.

John
4 years ago

Am surprised that the whole of 2 para only 350 marines? Crikey! God knows how many riflemen that entails, 240?

Ian
Ian
4 years ago
Reply to  John

Don’t go mixing Para’s, Marines and Riflemen! In one sentence? Crikey crumbs!

Rfn_Weston
Rfn_Weston
4 years ago
Reply to  Ian

I just cried a little! Long live 2LI !! Best Recce Platoon ever to soil their entrenching tools! 🙂

julian1
julian1
4 years ago
Reply to  John

I assume its elements of rather than the whole battalion – HQ + 2 x rifle?

Bill Edmead
Bill Edmead
4 years ago
Reply to  julian1

It is always ‘elements of’ as a full battalion rarely deploys anywhere. Our contribution to most army exercises is minimal although l accept that this is an actual deployment. With Labour now accusing the government of running down the armed forces, or the people’s liberation army etc., as they will no doubt rename it shows just how far the army especially has plunged as a credible fighting entity. Continual extraction of the teeth; infantry, armour, artillery and attack helicopters leaves a force more suitable for seeing old ladies across the road and humanitarian exercises which we do excel at. I… Read more »

Herodotus
Herodotus
4 years ago
Reply to  Bill Edmead

We certainly do live in interesting times. Arguably, the Labour Party is more left-wing now than it has been since the 1980’s and yet, it is accusing the Conservative Party of running down the military! Things must really be bad!