Fighting power and how to increase it – the conundrum facing commanders at every level in 2025.
From multi-billion pound equipment programmes to the most junior soldiers prioritising personal fitness, it’s a challenge of epic scale, not to mention urgency given the increasingly aggressive tactics of Nato’s adversaries.
At the basic level, affording troops the time and opportunity to hone their expertise is nothing short of mission critical.
That’s why last year service chiefs officially rolled out the Land Training System – a restructuring of individual, unit and collective drills that Chief of the General Staff, Gen Sir Roly Walker, said would prepare the army to take on “bigger and better equipped” foes.
Its three parts – Trade Wind, Cyclone and Storm – take personnel from foundational skills up to full-scale combined arms exercises, with the second element geared towards squadron or company level.
Overseen by the Combat Manoeuvre Centre, Cyclone ensures every sub-unit gets around ten weeks ringfenced in any 12-month period to meet its objectives.
An obvious requirement, perhaps. But with myriad competing obligations – from instructing Ukrainian troops to helping Afghan refugees resettle in the UK – core business could sometimes take a hit.
“Cyclone gives units protected time where they get no external taskings and can focus on their own development,” explained Maj Chris Cookson (R Welsh) from the Combined Arms Manoeuvre Training and Advisory Team (Camtat)
“Previously, they were so busy they were going on to Storm exercises without having been doing their primary roles and were having to relearn basic skills.
“This way, when they go on a big validation serial for combat or mission readiness, the start state is better soldiers and well-trained units coming together in the combined arms context. It’s about upskilling and professionalising the army.”
Delivery of the programme, which builds from section through platoon drills up to company-level, is down to officers commanding – with guidance from Camtat – before the CO signs the unit off as good to go.
And Maj Cookson stressed that the training would evolve to incorporate lessons from Ukraine and beyond.
“A formation might complete their ten weeks now, but in a year’s time there may be a greater focus on different activity because of developments we’re seeing around the world,” he said.
“Drone warfare is a good example – gone are the days of sitting out in the open nicely administering ourselves.
“The latest doctrine is that you don’t come together, you disperse and you’re always hiding, but in 12 months it could be that something else has emerged that changes what we do.”
Following pilot exercises, Cyclone was fully launched in April this year and by the time this issue hits shelves, 279 of the army’s 415 sub-units will have completed the pipeline.
While soldiers on the ground will notice little change to the day job, Maj Cookson said they should embrace having the time and space to sharpen their core skills.
“They’ll have ten weeks to develop themselves, so a section commander will be able to spend time with their troops, training them, making them better and getting ready for the future,” he went on.
Reflecting on how the changes would help boost combat power, he added: “The more proficient you are at your job, the more survivable you are. The more survivable you are, the more lethal you are. It all works hand in hand.”
