Page 6 - QDG Volume 9 No. 5

4 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
Foreword from the Colonel Commandant
of the Royal Armoured Corps
Today, we face an era defined by
complexity and uncertainty, where global
stability is increasingly challenged by
shifting geopolitical realities. The resur-
gence of nationalism alongside great
power competition, regional instability,
the proliferation of advanced technol-
ogies, and non-state threats combine
to create an unpredictable landscape.
The war in Ukraine reminds us that
state-on-state warfare has not been rele-
gated to history. Meanwhile, tensions in
the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East,
growing economic competition, and the
emergence of hybrid warfare require vigi-
lance, adaptability, and unity of purpose
across all domains.
Against this backdrop, and that of the
Strategic Defence Review in 2025, the
Royal Armoured Corps remains central
to the Army’s ability to respond deci-
sively. We are an institution that has
long served as a cornerstone of the
British Army’s operational strength. Our
history is one of innovation, courage, and
unyielding determination, forged in the
crucible of modern conflict and honed by
our dedication to readiness and adapt-
ability. These qualities are once again
much in demand. Our platforms and our
people provide a critical edge, offering
manoeuvre, firepower, and resilience on
the battlefield. Yet, we are more than just
the sum of our platforms. The men and
women of the Corps embody profes-
sionalism and ingenuity, prepared to
meet the challenges of tomorrow while
honouring the traditions of those who
came before us.
This past year has been a testament
to the relentless commitment and oper-
ational tempo of all our regiments. From
deployments in Eastern Europe as part
of NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence
to delivering key contributions to training
missions and global exercises, our regi-
ments have demonstrated their readiness
and versatility. Whether supporting oper-
ations, maintaining a visible deterrence
in critical regions, or preparing for large-
scale combat operations, our people
and platforms have been fully engaged
across the spectrum of military activity.
Their unwavering dedication ensures the
Corps continues to stand at the forefront
of the UK’s approach to global security.
The challenge set by the Chief of the
General Staff to double our lethality in
three years and triple it by the end of
the decade requires us all to think big
and be ambitious. As we navigate these
challenges, it is vital that we continue
to modernise – not only our equipment
but also our thinking. The conflict in
Ukraine teaches us that new technolo-
gies are additive to rather than replacing
extant capability. The trinity of fire-
power, protection and mobility remains
as relevant as ever, but the balance gets
ever harder with the extraordinary prolif-
eration of mostly uncrewed airborne
systems (UAS) – both sensor and shooter
– with UAS responsible for nearly 70% of
all Russian casualties in Ukraine. Invest-
ment in cutting-edge technologies, such
as AI and autonomous systems, must be
paired with rigorous training and a focus
on integrating these innovations into our
operational frameworks. Furthermore,
our commitment to partnerships with
allies and global institutions ensures that
we remain a key contributor to interna-
tional security and deterrence.
This foreword is not only a reflection
on our achievements but a call to action.
The challenges we face are formidable,
so our resolve must be greater. Together,
we must ensure that the Royal Armoured
Corps continues to stand ready, adapt-
able, and resolute in its mission to
protect and defend, whatever the future
may hold.
NCLP
The Editor
My predecessors will attest, being the
editor of the Journal means you are the
most disliked soldier in the Regiment
for months on end as you chastise,
cajole and coerce articles and photos
out of people. However, it gives me the
very greatest of pleasure to collate the
extraordinary breadth and depth of all
the activity and operational output that
your soldiers have delivered in 2024.
The word ‘busy’ has been censored;
it’s use suggests that others are not as
busy as the one who has used it – and
that simply isn’t true. For every one
soldier you see on the line, it takes three
back home; and our old comrades; and
their families to keep them sustained
and fighting fit. Thank you to all unseen
who keep us going.
Every Regiment is a story. Stories
require characters, and there is no
shortage of characters contained in
these pages. I could have published
volume II and still not do justice to 2024:
the peak of 2 years of 3 x simultaneous
operations on four different continents
across the spectrum of defence tasks.
So, with the greatest honour, I commend
to you Journal 2024. Like a novel, any
mistakes, factual errors or otherwise are,
no doubt, entirely my own fault!
AJP