While long-range fires was already on the horizon for Army, the release of the Defence Strategic Review accelerated the acquisition prioritisation.
In January 2024, the 10th Fires Brigade Headquarters was officially raised, following two years of development by a capability implementation team.
The brigade will generate short-range ground-based air defence, long-range multi-domain strike and specialist targeting effects in support of the integrated force.
The brigade headquarters has four direct command units, including the first long-range fires sub-unit.
Originally raised in 1916 for World War 1, 10th Brigade forged a proud legacy on the Western Front. Comprising the 37th, 38th, 39th and 40th Battalions, the 10th took part in many campaigns throughout the war. Since that time, the 10th's namesake has been demobilised and re-raised on several occasions in a part-time militia capacity.
The new formation exists across the entire country and comprises every service category.
'During my 30 years' service, I have never personally seen a capability roll out this quickly.'
Commander of the newest iteration, Brigadier Nick Wilson, said everybody within the brigade was united by a sense of purpose.
"This is new, challenging and immensely exciting," Brigadier Wilson said.
"Regardless of rank or position, everyone has an important part to play. Since we are learning as we go, the opportunity to employ initiative and develop TTPs [tactics, techniques and procedures] to fight this system of systems is unprecedented in the land force.
"We are a newly formed brigade, so it follows that we represent a wide cross section of the Army and indeed the community.
"To build new units, our soldiers have come from many others, and not just gun regiments. We have infantry soldiers, craftsman, maintainers, APS - more than 25 employment categories across multiple SERCATs [service categories].
"During my 30 years' service, I have never personally seen a capability roll out this quickly with nested priorities across multiple land projects."
10th Brigade currently commands the 9th and 16th Regiments, 54 Battery (the first sub-unit of the soon-to-be 14th Regiment) and the theatre CIMIC (civil-military cooperation) capability.
The headquarters will also provide theatre and divisional targeting nodes, with additional units likely from January 2026.
"The next six to 12 months are an excited period for us," Brigadier Wilson said.
"Inside of six months, we will see milestones achieved in the evolution of Army's ground-based air defence capability, together with the first tranche of long-range fires platforms. This includes multiple live-fire exercises, overseas training serials and the consistent application of a warfighting focus.
"As the commander, it's a privilege to lead the brigade. I feel that we are incredibly well resourced and supported by wider Army, and also our joint and coalition partners.
"It's a great time to be a soldier. I'm proud of the colour-patch."
