Standard shock troops rifle platoon, but slightly weaker against armoured target than their french counterpart, the Paratroopers are good against infantry, their role defined by the choice of transports, either behind enemy lines with air transports, or in defence with the FV603 SARACEN.
Available to NATO forces, this 10 man Rifle Platoon can be brought on the battlefield on land with a FV603 SARACEN or by air with a LYNX AH.1 and its armed variant the LYNX AH.7. They are shock troops (see: Shock troops tactics) armed with a LAW type launcher, the inaccurate M72, for short range anti-tank duty, and the L1A1 SLR Rifle with a high accuracy and 2HE. 16 reinforcements can be brought on the battlefield.
Compared to the similar LEGION FAMAS rifle platoon, the Paratroopers lack in anti-tank accuracy. Their main advantage is the ability to come on the battlefield by air transport with the LYNX AH.1 and AH.7, giving them better mobility, at the price of the number available.
Tactics
- Paratroopers are HE 2 shock troops that can come for a small price with the SARACEN or for fast interventions with their air transports. They are good at holding woods against infantry attacks, either behind enemy lines in ambushes or in defensive positions, but should be accompanied by some dedicated anti-tank units for optimal efficiency.
History
The Parachute Regiment was formed during the Second World War and eventually raised 17 battalions. In Europe, these battalions formed part of the 1st Airborne Division, the 6th Airborne Division and the 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade. Another three battalions served with the British Indian Army in India and Burma. The regiment took part in five major parachute assault operations, often landing ahead of all other troops, during which they fought in North Africa, Italy, Greece, France, the Netherlands and Germany.
At the end of the Second World War, the regiment was reduced to three regular army battalions first assigned to the 16th Parachute Brigade and later the 5th Airborne Brigade. 5th Airborne Brigade was one of the National Reserve brigades with two Para battalions along with a Air Landing territorial army light role infantry battalion and a Gurkha battalion. The third regular Parachute Regiment stationed in Northern Ireland or other tasking.
The reserve 16th Airborne Division was formed using the regiment reserve battalions in the Territorial Army (TA). Defence cuts gradually reduced the TA formations to a parachute brigade and then a single reserve battalion after the end of the Cold War. Para Regiment Group commanded the three TA Para Battalions, these were during the later parts of the Cold War was to defend Hildeshiem under the command of the 1st Armored with a additional issue of MILANs.
In the same time period, the regular army battalions have taken part in operations in Suez, Cyprus, Borneo, Aden, Northern Ireland, the Falklands, the Balkans, Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan, at times being reinforced by men from the reserve battalion.
Available transports
Airland Battle
- Pinzgauer
- FV603 Saracen
- Lynx AH.1
- Lynx AH.7
- Lynx AH.7 20mm
Red Dragon
- Stalwart
- Saxon
- Lynx AH.1
- Lynx AH.7
Weapons
European Escalation
Airland Battle
Red Dragon
Gallery
See also
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