The British Army is set to enhance its mortar and missile capabilities, focusing on increasing firepower and cost efficiency. British soldiers will soon transition from 81mm mortars to more powerful 120mm mortar systems. This move aims to boost mortar firepower on the ground while wisely managing expenses.
The British Army will replace the 81mm L16 mortars with a new 120mm mortar system, offering superior firepower. The L16 mortars, known for their precision and versatility in delivering explosive, smoke, and illuminating rounds up to 5.6 kilometers, have been a cornerstone of the battlegroup-level indirect fire weapon systems. Deployed from and operated within armored personnel carriers, these systems facilitate quick mobility and rapid repositioning. Although the specific model of the 120mm mortar system the Army plans to deploy remains undisclosed, such systems generally have a range of 7.2 to 9.5 kilometers and are a NATO standard, a distinction not previously adopted by the UK’s major Western Army peers.
This initiative further aligns the British Army with NATO allies, enhancing interoperability—an increasingly crucial principle in modern military operations. Notably, the Royal Commandos will continue to use the L16 system due to its ease of deployment, including for airborne operations.
Additionally, the Army is turning to the use of cost-effective 70mm rockets as an alternative to the more expensive Brimstone anti-armor missiles. This change coincides with advancements in Project Wolfram, a British initiative focused on a new mobile anti-armor capability using the Brimstone missile, ready for live fire tests by the second quarter of 2024. Brimstone, versatile across multiple platforms, offers significant capability but comes at a higher cost. In support of Ukraine, the UK has recently sent 200 Brimstone anti-tank missiles.