Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 11 December 2017 to Question 117878, whether the first Strike Brigade is still intended to be formed by 2020; and whether that brigade will still comprise of the Household Cavalry Regiment, the Royal Dragoon Guards, 1st Battalion Scots Guards, and 3rd Battalion The Rifles.

Strike concept development continues to progress and integrate insights from virtual and simulated training activities. Combined experimentation and knowledge exchange with our allies remains a significant part of the development process. The brigade recently conducted a live command post experiment working to a US division alongside French, German and Canadian brigades in Germany, testing multinational interoperability. Planning for 2019 exercises is currently under way.

The plans for formation of the first Strike brigade remains unchanged from my answer of 11 December 2017 to question 117878.