Royal Armoured Corps

The **Royal Armoured Corps (RAC)** is the armoured fighting vehicle branch of the British Army, formed on 4 April 1939 by uniting mechanised cavalry regiments with the Royal Tank Corps (renamed the Royal Tank Regiment). As one of the two primary combat arms alongside the Infantry, it specialises in mounted close combat, delivering shock action through speed, firepower, and manoeuvre to close with and destroy the enemy. Comprising ten regular and four reserve regiments—descended from historic horse cavalry units and the pioneers of tank warfare—the RAC operates a range of platforms, including the Challenger 2 (and upcoming Challenger 3) main battle tank for heavy armour roles, Ajax vehicles for armoured cavalry reconnaissance, and lighter systems for light cavalry tasks. Trained at the Armour Centre in Bovington, its regiments provide decisive armoured capability across global operations, from high-intensity warfare to reconnaissance and security, while select units, such as the Household Cavalry, also undertake state ceremonial duties.