The Ministry of Defence has outlined a broad package of new battlefield capabilities being accelerated into service through Task Force Rapstone, an Army initiative intended to speed up the delivery of new equipment and technology.
In a written answer to Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, Defence Minister Luke Pollard said the programme is focused on rapidly fielding systems designed to improve the Army’s ability to fight in a more contested environment, with particular emphasis on drones, counter-drone measures, electronic warfare and improved digital command-and-control tools.
Pollard described Rapstone as an effort to accelerate the introduction of capabilities already being delivered, or in the process of being fielded, to front line units. The response reflects the wider push across Defence to adapt faster to lessons emerging from Ukraine, where the proliferation of drones, loitering munitions, electronic warfare and dispersed sensor networks has reshaped tactical operations and driven demand for faster procurement and integration cycles.
The minister said the Army is accelerating the fielding of a range of systems, including tactical drones, counter-UAS equipment, loitering munitions and uncrewed ground resupply vehicles, alongside upgrades to communications and fire control tools.
“RAPSTONE is an Army initiative to accelerate the fielding of new capabilities into the British Army,” Pollard said.
He added that these include:
- “Tactical uncrewed airborne systems (UAS) – short and medium range tactical drones.”
- “Systems to detect, track and counter UAS at the tactical level.”
- “Medium range loitering munitions.”
- “Uncrewed ground vehicles for last-mile resupply of tactical units.”
- “Electronic warfare (EW) systems for specialist and generalist users.”
- “Dispersed digital sensor systems to enhance the intelligence capability of tactical units.”
- “Enhanced counter UAS protection for vehicles.”
- “Utility vehicles for tactical units (4×4 pick-ups and vans).”
- “Hybrid power supplies for tactical headquarters and deployed teams.”
- “Personal individual power packs.”
- “Digital tools for tactical logistic planning and enhanced deployed maintenance.”
- “Enhanced digital tools for fire control.”
- “Increased satellite communications capabilities for mobile tactical units.”
- “Develop dried blood plasma technology into a deployable medical capability.”
The list highlights an effort on improving battlefield survivability and responsiveness, particularly through increased drone usage, greater electronic warfare resilience, and more robust tactical logistics and communications.
However, Pollard said the government would not provide further detail on the specific systems being delivered. “I am unable to provide greater detail on the individual capabilities listed due to Operational sensitivities,” he said.
Let’s hope it’s as good as it sounds. But what does “rapidly” mean in this context? If it means the same as “at pace,” i fear we’re looking at capabilities to be deployed in the mid 2030s…
Why would we develop our own dried plasma when the french armed forces have a perfectly good French Lyophilized Plasma that they developed over 70 years ago and have deployed with ever since.. even the U.S. army uses French freeze dried plasma, because they are the very best at this technology.
On X was a photo of a loitering munition being used by 11 Brigade. Forget it’s name.
Maybe that’s one component of its “Light Strike” Brigade designation.
Bought without fanfare or announcement.
Also, it’s occurred to me before. When we have posters who, rightly in my view, ask where is the drone kit for our own forces, and we have replies along the lines of..”no need, can all be rapidly scaled by industry if neeed.”
Well, here we are, that is not always the norm, it seems thousands of FPV types are being fielded in Army units.
I think this is how it should be done. You need sufficient stocks to allow front line units to fight for however long it takes to ramp up production to wartime levels & for that production to make it to the front line, (plus training useage & a comfortable margin).
Anything more than that & you run the risk of being stuck with stocks of obsolescent gear, as the technology changes so rapidly once the fighting actually starts and as each side tries to find an advantage
Manufacturing also needs to be able to adapt to new variants, upgrades and updates almost overnight
Excellent news, let’s hope it has momentum.