New Royal Marines Unit To 'Shape' Future Operations

A select group of Royal Marines are to make up a new unit that will "shape" the future of amphibious UK operations. 

More than 150 Royal Marines and Army Commandos will form the new Vanguard Strike Company this autumn, and will have access to "game-changing technology and weaponry", the Royal Navy said.

It comes as part of the Royal Marines' modernisation project, known as the Future Commando Force programme, which will "overhaul" how the Marines operate.

The Navy said Vanguard Strike Company personnel will work in "small, versatile teams" tailored for the mission they are on, delivering "a more agile and lethal capability".

The service added the creation of the unit is "returning commando forces to their roots".

Commandant General Royal Marines, Major General Matt Holmes, said: "The Vanguard Strike Company will lead and inform how the Royal Marines and Army Commandos will operate and fight in a dynamic, technological era of warfare.

"We envisage several of these networked sub-units persistently forward deployed around the globe, with an array of sophisticated enabling capabilities, to present dilemmas to adversaries whilst supporting partners.

"These will all be at high-readiness, as a capable forward contingency force at the core of the Royal Navy’s Littoral Response Groups."

The new Vanguard Strike Company will go on its maiden deployment in mid-2021 following further trials later this year.

The company will wear the new Royal Marines uniform - announced last month - on their first deployment. 

Cover image: Royal Navy.