gunner75 wrote: In my opinion the parachute role of the regiment will not be phased out.
Hmmm.... It might upset some (and as I'm on the Para's Joining thread I may be going a step too far in voicing unpalatable thoughts), but I'm not
ENTIRELY convinced about the long term future for a 'parachute' deployable strike force in the current climate of financial slash and burn by the Government... Much the same as heavy armour is being shrunk from Cold War threat levels, I think the days of guys jumping out slow lumbering transport planes in the mid of night, into hostile territory and accepting that 3-5% may be injured in the process of coming back into contact with terra firma, are long gone...
The Army website states the following under Para Regt tab:
The Future
These special capabilities are demanded more than ever in an evolving operational environment where complexity, ambiguity and confusion abound. The requirement for speedy, preventive deployments is still paramount, where airborne soldiers may have to operate at the limits of endurance and sustainability. They must be light and agile, ready to deploy at short notice, inherently self-reliant and innovative, with the skill at arms, cunning and boldness to bring all their firepower to bear. They have to be a highly disciplined and professionally competent force, deployable by helicopter, aeroplane or parachute. Attaining this professional standard requires motivated volunteers whose qualities are above the norm. In sustaining the specialised capability that remains the hallmark of the Parachute Regiment, appropriate selection and training is as critical now as it ever was.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with the above blurb.. apart from the 'or parachute' bit... There's a need for elite teeth arms, be it Para, RM ......... erm...or RAF Regt ....
...
[pause]....
(guffaw....)
It's just that I don't see these highly trained Para Regt bods
ever having to jump out of a plane and dangle from parachute to achieve military success.
Patrol forward to contact? yep! no probs...
Heli lift insertion? yep! No probs...
Hot Parachute drop? (wot?! Without 'enemy' either shooting down said transport planes or having the technology to track and anticipate where a drop would be and prepare a warm welcome?) No chance...
Still... just a thought...
