4 RIFLES first to join Army's new Ranger Regiment next week

4 RIFLES will be the first to move into the Ranger Regiment, part of the new land special operations brigade, from 1 December.

The announcement was made by General Sir Patrick Sanders, The Rifles' Colonel Commandant in front of the Duchess of Cornwall at The Rifles Awards dinner.

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Gen Sanders added the outcome of the Integrated Review will see the retention of five regular and three reserve battalions.

Nonetheless, he acknowledged the new structures will require "battalions to reduce in size" and the need to "alter our current battalion footprint".