Page 11 - Bugle Autumn 2023

NLAW used in support of Armour
1 RIFLES
NLAW CADRE
NLAW Weapon Handling
Selecting the right firing position
With the backdrop of the violent and bloody war going on in Ukraine, never has the tactical understanding of how to counter
an armoured threat been more significant
to the British Infantry. Whilst Anti-Tank Platoons continue to maintain the necessary skills to meet such a threat, much of the corporate knowledge of basic anti-tanking within Rifle Companies has been lost over the past decade, with the training focus being on counter-insurgency and not conventional warfare.
1 RIFLES Anti-Tank Pl looked to reverse
the development of this knowledge gap by delivering a Next Generation Light Anti-Tank Weapon (NLAW) cadre in May. The aim was clear; to upskilling the Rifle Company Sections in the tactical employment of the NLAW weapon system, in-addition to educating
the Pl HQ’s on the considerations and best
employment of NLAW teams in rural and urban environments. Rifle Companies offered full up Platoons with their chains of command in-tact, allowing for these Platoons to become the subject matter experts on Anti-tank for their Companies.
Whilst in camp they received in-depth weapon handling training on the NLAW,
basic vehicle recognition lessons, and
the key tactical actions of an anti-armour ambush, as well as the new doctrinal concept pioneered by the Anti-Tank Pl, the Anti-Tank Urban sector defence. Deploying to Copehill Down village on SPTA, the Platoons were taken through some of the practical skills including constructing Urban observation posts, the dimensions required to fire the NLAW indoors, and rehearsal of concept for both an anti-armour ambush and the anti-tank urban sector defence. All Platoons delivered
Adapting the fight to the enemy in front of you
an anti-armour ambush, organising their sections appropriately, having a great effect on the opposing force (OPFOR) played by the A Squadron, Queen’s Royal Hussars (QRH). Most impressive of all the Platoons grasped the anti-tank sector defence, implementing highly effective plans occupying various prepared positions in the village as the OPFOR vehicles advanced. The aim achieved and the Platoons feedback confirming it was a worthwhile training experience.
Capt J Prince, OC Anti Tank Pl
never has the tactical understanding of how to
counter an armoured threat been more significant to the British Infantry.
RIFLES The Bugle 11