The Duke Of Lancaster’s Regiment Assumes Strategic NATO Role

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion of the Duke of Lancaster clearing a trench during exercise HEDGEHOG. Image: Corporal Vincent Price, UK MOD © Crown copyright 2025

1st Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment (1 LANCS) has become one of NATO’s pivotal Army units.

Taking on the role of Forward Land Forces (FLF), 1 LANCS will be on readiness to strengthen frontline forces should conflict break out on the alliance’s eastern flank.

They recently visited NATO Supreme Headquarters in Brussels to receive a briefing on the tasking.

It follows a year of intense training for the role, including a large-scale operational rehearsal in Estonia, Exercise Hedgehog, in May, just 35 miles from the Russian border.

The defensive exercise saw troops dig trenches and prepare positions under battlefield conditions.

Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Bob Carman said: “As we mark the Battalion’s readiness from 1 July, we reflect with pride on 12 months of dedicated training and force development as part of the Forward Land Forces Brigade.

“1 LANCS now stands prepared for the challenges ahead, and we look forward to embracing the opportunities to continue training in Estonia, integrating with our Allies, and increasing our lethality with new technical equipment.

“The battalion will maintain a mindset of continuous improvement – to be more agile, lethal and resilient, and to always be ready.”

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