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British Army Opens Urban Warfare Training Center in Scotland

The British Army has inaugurated a new facility in Scotland to train soldiers for urban warfare.

Located at the Oliver Barracks in Dundee, the center is integrated with components emulating a realistic city environment to enhance the military’s infantry skills, particularly in close-quarter strategies, for domestic and overseas deployments.

The hub uses smoke, light, and noise equipment the Highland Reserve Force and Cadet Association (RFCA) procured to support a more immersive experience during drills.

The site was originally a Reserve Service compound that was approved for legal compliance and converted into a training space with the support of the Perth-based 7th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland (7 SCOTS).

The 7 SCOTS is a battalion operating under the 19th Light Brigade, which forms part of the service’s larger light and airborne warfighting unit, the 1st (United Kingdom) Division.

After the launch, the new urban warfare training center was tested by the 7 SCOTS reservists, with drills including the application of simulated ammunition or simunition.

Photo caption:- A Canadian reservist University student is seen here with 7 SCOTS, as part of a Reserve Forces Foreign Exchange Student programme from 48th Highlanders of Canada. Simulation facility in Scotland creates realistic training for Army reservists. The creation and development of a new Army training facility in Dundee saw Reservists from the 7th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (7 SCOTS) train in using simulated ammunition. The new facility, located in Oliver Barracks in Dundee, allows urban operations training. It was constructed and designed for the use of simulation to create a realistic environment for soldiers to enhance their infantry skills in advance of deployments in the UK and overseas. 7 SCOTS, although a light role (Reserve) battalion based in Perth are commanded by 19th Light Brigade who form part of 1st (United Kingdom) Division. Training at weekends highlights the immense level of discipline and commitment by reservists within 7 SCOTS; juggling their civilian routine and employment to participate – gaining and enhancing transferable employable skills. Reservists bring specialist civilian capabilities that are essential both on and off the battlefield, while gaining transferable qualifications by training with the Army. The roles and tasks demanded of the Army Reserve continue to evolve, with more opportunities to enjoy the challenges that come with being a Reservist both in the UK and worldwide.
Army reservists prepare to enter a room during an exercise at a new Army simulation training facility in Scotland. Photo: Mark Owens/British Army

“The opportunity for our Reservists to train locally in high quality training facilities is hugely important,” 19th Light Brigade Commander Brig. Lisa Brooks stated.

“I am very grateful to Highland RFCA for their generosity to enable 7 SCOTS to further develop this inspiring urban operations training facility which other local units and civilian agencies organisations will benefit from in the future.”

Improving Army Reserve Operability

The opening of the Dundee military training facility came after the 7 SCOTS’ participation in the British Army’s largest reserve exercise since the Cold War in Germany.

This year, the battalion will focus on updated lessons addressing the “progressively demanding battlefield,” including observations from Ukraine’s conflict with Russia.

In addition, the 7 SCOTS will practice across the “most demanding terrain” in the UK, located in Otterburn, which will also deliver junior leadership training and basic introduction qualification into infantry heavy fire support weapons systems.

“Reservists bring specialist civilian capabilities that are essential both on and off the battlefield, while gaining transferable qualifications by training with the Army,” 7 SCOTS Commanding Officer Lt. Col. David Robertson said.

“The roles and tasks demanded of the Army Reserve continue to evolve, with more opportunities to enjoy the challenges that come with being a Reservist both in the UK and worldwide.”

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