WIREDGOV

The Ministry of Defence has announced a reconfiguration of the Army in order to ensure it is fit for the future, with Wales benefiting from the new plans

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has announced that The Queen’s Dragoon Guards, famously nicknamed, The Welsh Cavalry, who predominantly recruit from Wales will be moving to a revamped Caerwent Barracks from 2028.

This boost for Wales is part of ‘Future Soldier’, the Army’s most radical transformation in over 20 years. This reconfiguration will see an overall increase in the number of soldiers based in Wales.

The Reserve Soldier footprint in Wales will continue to grow with a new location opened in Wrexham for elements of the 3rd Battalion The Royal Welsh as they assume principal responsibility for homeland protection operations as well as maintaining a warfighting role alongside Regular colleagues.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

Future Soldier is reinforced by the ambition outlined in the Defence Command Paper to transform the Army into a more agile, integrated, lethal, expeditionary force.

We have underpinned this generational work with an extra £8.6bn for Army equipment, bringing the total investment to £41.3 billion.

Our army will operate across the globe, equipped with the capabilities to face down a myriad of threats from cyber warfare through to battlefield conflict.

Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart said:

The Armed Forces have long had a hugely significant presence in Wales and the announcement that this presence will be enhanced and increased is fantastic news.

The Welsh Cavalry’s move to Monmouthshire, the basing of a new Reserve unit in Wrexham and an overall increase in the Army footprint underlines the vital role that Wales continues to play in the UK’s defence and the importance of the Armed Forces to the Welsh economy.

Brigadier Andrew Dawes CBE, Head of the Army in Wales said:

We will welcome the Welsh Cavalry (Queen’s Dragoon Guards) and an additional infantry unit to a new, purpose-built barracks in South Wales as well as a new sub-unit of 3 Royal Welsh in Wrexham. These adjustments strengthen our presence across Wales and underlines the importance of Wales to the Army and to the wider UK.

The Barracks in Brecon will not be sold and will continue to house the military headquarters for the majority of troops based in Wales.

The increased Army footprint in Wales will be supported by £320 million investment.

Welsh infantry soldiers will remain at the heart of the Army’s warfighting capability with the 1st Battalion, The Royal Welsh receiving the Army’s new Armoured Personnel Carrier, Boxer. They will continue to be based on Salisbury Plain, forming a crucial part of the Army’s high-end warfighting division.

The Welsh Guards, based out of Windsor, will continue to balance prestigious ceremonial and protection duties of the Royal Household alongside their light Infantry role.

Also announced:

• The closure of Cawdor Barracks in Pembrokeshire has been delayed until 2028.
• Launched as part of the Government’s Integrated Review in March 2021, Future Soldier outlines how the Army will be organised and structured in the future, and how it will deal with emerging threats across the world. The latest announcement follows ongoing work by the Army to implement the changes across the Army.
• The complete guide to Future Soldier is available online