1

5

6

4

2

3

Northern Ireland The operational mission of theUK Armed Forces in Northern Ireland ended in July 2007, but some 4,000 troops remain in garrisons

1

Falklands Around 500 troops based onthe islands from all three services. Their role: security and continuing post-Falklands conflict mine clearance

5

BelizeTraining team of 60 Britishtroops has been based in Belize since the country gained independence from the UK in 1981. Troops used as ‘deterrent’ force to neighbour Guatemala

4

Ascension Island Just 400 troops are stationed here to maintain staging post to the Falklands

3

GibraltarThis is considered an important base in the Mediterranean, from which to observe shipping lanes – 1,000 troops stationed here

2

Germany An important training base for the UK. 20,000 British troops based here, though many are deployed in the Middle East at any one time

6 Afghanistan Troops located in Kabul, Kandahar Air Field and Helmand, with the vast majority – 6,000 – based in Helmand. A few hundred troops are based in Kabul

7

Diego GarciaUp to 50 members of the RoyalNavy are located at the air base on the island, which although leased to the Americans, is part of the British Indian Ocean Territories

10

Kenya British Army Training Unit – 60 personnel. Used to train up to 4,000 soldiers a year for operations

9 Brunei The Brunei Garrison is only British base in Far East; home to around 900 troops mainly from the 1st battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles

11

Iraq 400 troops remain here. After five years of operations, the British mission is due to end on July 31

8

> PERSONAL LOAD CARRYING EQUIPMENTTough, modular system of camouflaged protective belt, yoke and pouches, for ammunition, water and food

> HELMETMark 6a combat helmet: ballistic protection accommodating respirator, ear defenders, goggles and radio set

> OSPREY BODY ARMOURAdditional ballistic protection: can be reinforced with ceramic armour plates

> THE PERSONAL ROLE RADIO (PRR)Small transmitter-receiver for short distances. Effective through thick cover or walls

1 Home Waters

Type 23 Frigate

Hunt Class

Type 42 Destroyer

Offshore Patrol Vessels

Sandown Classminehunter

2 North Europe

Invincible Class

x2

x6

x2

Type 42 Destroyer

3 Far East

Type 23 Frigate

Echo Class

Albion Class

AmphibiousAssault Ship

4 Middle East

Type 23 Frigate

Sandown Classminehunter

Hunt Class

5 Atlantic

Offshore Patrol Vessel

Echo Class

Type 42 Destroyer

6 Mediterranean

Type 22 Frigate

Type 23 Frigate

Hunt Class

Type 23 Frigate

Offshore Patrol Vessels

HMS Illustrious > SUBMARINE FLEET

The Royal Navy's Fleet Flagship, Invincible Class aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious (pictured), is currently deployed to North European waters. Known as ‘Lusty’ to her 1,000-strong crew, the vast flagship carries a Tailored Air Group of combat planes and helicopters. Powered by four gas turbine Olympus engines, the ship exceeds speeds of 30 knots, with roles varying widely from support-ing air strikes on land targets to evacuation missions

NAVY

Typhoon (pictured) provides the RAF with a multi-role combat aircraft, capable of being deployed in the full spectrum of air operations. It will become the RAF’s main aircraft as the Tornado family is phased out over the coming years. The pilot can carry out many functions by voice command while the aircraft manoeuvres; weapon and defensive aid deployment is done through a combined stick and throttle

The Chinook is a capable and versatile support helicopter that can be operated in diverse environments ranging from cold weather ‘arctic’ conditions to desert warfare operations

A heavily updated development of the old Harrier, incorporating the ability to use a wide range of advanced precision weaponry, new communica-tions, and systems and airframe upgrades

BRITISH FORCES AROUND THE WORLD

ALL CORNERS OF THE GLOBEColoured areas =UK operationsaround the world

173,930Total British Forces worldwide… … broken down by Service

Army

RAF

Navy

99,250

35,020

GERMANY

IRAQ

> OTHER FRONT-LINE VEHICLES

> STANDARD KIT OF FOOT SOLDIER (left)

A heavily armoured, 6 x 6 wheel-drive patrol vehicle which carries eight people, plus two crew. With a maximum speed of 56mph, it is armed with a 7.62mm general purpose machine gun, 12.7 mm heavy machine gun or 40mm automatic grenade launcher

Three crew and capable of carrying seven infantrymen, the Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle has the speed and performance to keep up with Challenger 2 and the firepower and armour to support infantry in an assault

Mastiff 2 Warrior

Harrier GR9

ChinookTrafalgar Class

Vanguard Class

12 submarines on active duty: the Vanguard Class provides the UK's strategic nuclear deterrent; the Trafalgar and Swiftsure classes contribute to peace and security. Locations always remain secret

Typhoon F2

RAF

GIBRALTAR DIEGO GARCIA

NORTHERN IRELAND

> HOW THE BRITISH FLEET IS DEPLOYED

> BRITAIN’S MOST SOPHISTICATEDWEAPONS IN THE AIR

> PRIDE OF THE FLEET –ABOVE AND BELOW THE WAVES

> BRITAIN’S BATTLE EQUIPMENT

Challenger 2

ARMY

The Challenger is the British Army's main battle tank, equipped with a state-of-the-art thermal observa-tion and gunnery system to provide the commander and gunner with optimised vision of the target, day and night. Carries crew of four and loaded with 4,050 rounds of ammunition. Weighs 62,000kg and reaches speeds of 37mph on rough terrain

> OTHER FRONT-LINE AIRCRAFT

39,660

PICTURES: Peter Macdiarmid | Ian Nicholson | Sgt Anthony Boocock | Jose Luis Roca | Cpl Rupert Frere | Reuters | Peter Morrison | Matt Cardy | Oleg Popov | AlamyGraphic Stefan Bayley | Andrew Blenkinsop | Ciaran Hughes

FALKLANDS