The British Army Expo 2024, held at Wellington Barracks, provided a platform for senior military figures, policymakers, and defence experts to examine how the Army is adapting to meet current and future challenges.
This year’s event, themed “The Army The Nation Needs,” offered a roadmap for the Army’s evolution, focusing on technological advancements and the crucial role of its personnel.
According to the British Army’s press release, Brigadier Simon Carvel, Director of Army Expo 2024, opened the event by outlining the Expo’s purpose: “This year’s Expo tells the story of today’s Army, built on three pillars: purpose, people, and response.”
He highlighted the Army’s mission to “protect the nation and help it prosper by fighting and winning battles from land,” and stressed that the response to increasing dangers must be rapid and effective.
A significant part of the Expo was dedicated to showcasing the Combined Joint Operations Centre (CJOC), which serves as a critical command hub for major operations and exercises. The press release noted that the CJOC emphasised NATO’s importance to UK defence strategy. “Our national defence plan is NATO,” the Army’s announcement stated, underscoring the need for credible land forces within the alliance.
Visitors were then introduced to the Army’s modernisation efforts, focusing on light, mobile forces such as the Ranger Regiment. These troops demonstrated new technologies, including advanced communication systems, which allow the rapid exchange of data in the field. The Army’s press release highlighted this advancement as part of a broader effort to modernise over the past three decades.
Technological displays included the Jackal 2, a highly mobile vehicle with an operational range of 1,000km, and an upgraded AJAX, which features automated firing capabilities. According to the release, these advancements demonstrate the Army’s commitment to maintaining a technological edge on the battlefield.
The release quoted Major Matt Selby, who explained the significance of innovation: “Over the past thirty years, the British Army has undergone profound change. From technological advancements to strategic innovations, our capabilities have evolved to meet the demands of a rapidly changing global security landscape.”
The Expo also focused on the Army’s greatest asset—its people. The release introduced Major Jen Stevenson, who presented soldiers from various backgrounds, including Recruiting Sergeant Dereck Vaughn and Corporal Joe McCloud, both of whom exemplify the Army’s commitment to nurturing talent and fostering growth.
Major Stevenson explained, “The core purpose of the Army is to fight and win wars, but none of this is possible without the dedication and commitment of our people.”
The British Army Expo 2024 provided a comprehensive view of how the Army is preparing for future challenges, both in terms of personnel and technology.
The Army’s press release concluded by reaffirming the commitment to being “The Army The Nation Needs,” with Brigadier Carvel stating, “Our Army is ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century. We have the people, the technology, and the determination to defend the nation and ensure its prosperity.”
Call me cynical. Very impressive words but whatever is planned will be hollowed out, cut back or cancelled .
There’s a fine line between cynicism & realism.
‘Ensure the nation’s prosperity’ by warfighting. Is that a key reason that we have an army? Is it credible that participating in wars that cost a lot of blood and treasure, that we are making the nation prosper? A very unconvincing rationale in my eyes.
I would argue that thee core purpose of this countries armed forces is to prevent a war and as a last resort, fight and win it as quickly and with the least casualties as possible.
The best defence is one that in is never tested .
‘The army the nation needs’ : more to support the West when shit happens or deter shit from happening. Poland needs an army the nation needs or other frontline nations.
Great picture but in reality we all know the real truth how things stand , and what’s coming 😟 🇬🇧
When will we get all this kit?, how much will we get?, When will it be operational? Will we ever buy enough Ammo for it? A lot what if, would like, but no orders no nothing as always. All pie in the sky.
I have read Boxer’s IOC is likely to be delayed because of paper work, which is astonishing.
That’s from Army Technology in case anyone wants to take a look.
Sad it is, why are we as nation so crap at getting things in to service and up dating them,
Except 53 Jackal 3s, no other orders came out of the conference thus far as far as I’m aware.
Again that is my point a lot words and nothing else as always. Window shopping and wise lists but never buying.
You’re correct. I really hope some of the Boxer variants they showed get ordered asap.
As do i but even if ordered we will not see them in service for 3 to 5 years as the production rate is so slow. 432’s will still be here in 5 years not sure all the boxers will even be built by then let alone operatenal
Probably true, as they were supposedly building about 60 a year.
This is all very reminiscent of the 1920’s and 1930’s with lots of experimental stuff but little hardware while the threat grew dramatically.
I don’t think 2.5% GDP will hack it in any shape or form.
2.5% GDP will not be enough, and still not date on when it goes to that as always just warm words, bluff and not a lot else. Big lack of any worth while orders no new kit in service just an other years delay to what was ment to be in service 4 plus years ago. C3 at least 2 years away, no AS90 replacement even ordered, no 432 replacement ordered, no light gun replacement ordered, no new air gun based/anti drone defence ordered just lots what if and may be,s. If any enemy can hang on till about 2030/32… Read more »
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Demo an updated Ajax. Lmao. It’s not even in service yet. So long has it’s development taken that there is an upgraded version. How much is that going to cost?
you got a link to that?