Role
7th Air Defence Group commands the Army’s Air Defence Capability. It is also responsible for detecting, identifying and tracking aircraft in support of UK Operations.
Operational Success
The regiments have delivered operational success in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Falkland Islands.
The commitment to the Falklands Islands is an enduring one, with Rapier permanently deployed there.
In recent years 7th Air Defence Group has also supported UK counter-terrorism activities.
Capabilities
The Formation is built upon three specialist capabilities:
- Very Short Range Air Defence
- Short Range Air Defence and
- Land Environment Air Picture Provision.
The Land Environment Air Picture Provision uses the Giraffe RADAR to detect, identify and track aircraft out to a range of 120km. This is used to create a Local Air Picture to provide information for the air defence control network.
Combined with other capabilities a picture of what is happening in the air across a wide area can be transmitted to Commanders anywhere in the world.
Formation Structure
The Formation is made up of:
- 12th Regiment Royal Artillery
- 16th Regiment Royal Artillery
- 106 (Yeomanry) Regiment Royal Artillery (Reserve Regiment)
7 AD Gp is equipped with: the Rapier missile that has seen service in the Falkland Islands, the High-Velocity Missile and the LEAPP target identification system. It is soon to upgrade to the new state-of-the-art SkySabre anti-aircraft missile system which it will start to be introduced later in the year.
Headquarters Location
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HQ Joint Ground Based Air Defence
Baker Barracks, Thorney Island, PO10 8DH
