British Army
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The British Army is the land-based branch of the United Kingdom's military forces responsible for ground combat operations. It matters because it serves as the primary military force defending British territory and supporting the country's national security and international interests.
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The British Army is the land warfare force of the United Kingdom responsible for defending the UK, the British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. The British Army, founded in 1707, has seen involvement in most of the world's major wars throughout history, including both world wars. As of 1 January 2026, the British Army comprises 73,790 regular full-time personnel, 4,190 Gurkhas, 25,770 volunteer reserve personnel and 4,870 "other personnel", for a total of 108,620.
The British Army traces back to 1707 and the formation of the united Kingdom of Great Britain which joined the Kingdoms of England and Scotland into a single state and, with that, united the English Army and the Scots Army as the British Army. The English Bill of Rights 1689 and Scottish Claim of Right Act 1689 require parliamentary consent for the Crown to maintain a peacetime standing army. Members of the British Army swear allegiance to the monarch as their commander-in-chief. The army is administered by the Ministry of Defence and commanded by the Chief of the General Staff.