In pictures: Reconnaissance troops show off their firepower

The British Army's Pathfinders can often be seen, or unseen, identifying drop zones for friendly forces from deep behind enemy lines.

Stealth is the method of choice, but new images show how the small reconnaissance teams could answer back were the enemy to spot them.

Machine-guns of the heavy and grenade variety were on show during the training in Norfolk as personnel ran through "last resort" firepower drills.

• UK Paras with Jordan's special forces: The exercise designed to make the enemy notice
• British Special Forces – where they came from and what they do
• Exclusive: Ranger Regiment selection process before taking on Special Forces roles

Weapons were mounted on RWMIK (Revised Weapons Mounted Installation Kit) patrol vehicles, while the NLAW (Next generation Light Anti-tank Weapon) anti-tank missile was also part-fired to prepare for stiff opposition.

Pathfinders are the advance force for 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team and relay intelligence back to base to assist mission planning.

The group's troop commander says the weaponry on show at the STANTA ranges is "much heavier than an enemy would be expecting recce troops to carry, so we can fight ourselves out of any situation".

"It also means that we can strike targets of opportunity when they are least expecting to be attacked," the officer added.

Assault Brigade Combat Team is the Army's Global Response Force used to respond to crises around the world and specially trained and equipped to deploy by air.

First-in for the force, Pathfinders are freed up to join others in raids on high-value targets once they have completed their initial reconnaissance duties.