32nd Regiment Royal Artillery

32nd Regiment Royal Artillery
Active 1939 – present
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Branch  British Army
Role Aerial attack
Size 5 Batteries
Part of 1st Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Brigade
Garrison/HQ Larkhill, Wiltshire
Nickname(s) The Wessex Gunners
Equipment Desert Hawk III and Watchkeeper unmanned aerial vehicles

32nd Regiment Royal Artillery is a regiment of the Royal Artillery in the British Army. It is equipped with Desert Hawk 3 (DH3) and Watchkeeper unmanned aerial vehicles. 32nd Regiment is one of two Royal Artillery units that operate UAV systems (the other being 47th Regiment) and along with 5th Regiment RA they provide both integrated and strategic ISTAR capability. In September 2015, the Regiment became part of the new 1 Intelligence & Surveillance Brigade. According to a written statement, 32 RA will utilise the Bulldog armoured vehicle instead of the Warthog vehicle on operations.[1]

History

The 32nd Field Artillery Regiment was in the British Expeditionary Force in France at the start of the Second World War. In 1947, the 32nd Regimental Headquarters (RHQ) was retitled as the 45th Field Regiment[2] and the 7th Medium Regiment RHQ was retitled as the 32nd.[3]

In 1966, the regiment became a Heavy Regiment with M107 self-propelled 175 mm Guns.[3] In 1972, it became a light Regiment, equipped with 105mm Light Guns; then, in 1978, a Guided Missile Regiment equipped with Swingfire.[3]

In 1985, it became a heavy regiment again with M107 guns.[3] During the Gulf War, the regiment was equipped with M110 SP 203mm Howitzers and served as part of the Divisional Artillery Group supporting the 1st Armoured Division.[3]

Batteries

The batteries are as follows:[4]

References

External links


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