British Army Explores Horses for Stealth Operations Amid Drone Threat
The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment is testing the use of horses for covert movement across difficult terrain, seeking an advantage over drone surveillance.
The British Army is revisiting the use of horses for military operations, with the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment experimenting with the animals for covert trekking across challenging terrain. This initiative aims to leverage the horses' ability to move silently and remain undetected by modern surveillance technology, particularly drones.
Drones pose a significant threat to traditional military vehicles, which can be easily spotted and targeted from above. Horses, however, offer a stealthier alternative. Lieutenant-Colonel Ben McNeil noted that horses can travel through wooded areas with a more natural profile, making them less conspicuous than armored vehicles and potentially mistaken for wildlife. He suggested that a horse could offer a better chance of reaching a destination undetected compared to a tank.
Furthermore, horses present an advantage against thermal imaging. Unlike the hot engines and components of military vehicles, horses emit a significantly lower infra-red heat signature, making them harder to detect using thermal technology.
The Army's consideration of "bringing back the war horse" was partly inspired by a horse-mounted unit within the Estonian Defence League. An Army spokesman highlighted the horses' capability to navigate areas where heavy military vehicles might become stuck, such as thick forests and boggy ground. This exploration into unconventional methods reflects a broader lesson from recent conflicts, emphasizing the need for creativity and adaptability in modern warfare.
The historical role of horses in warfare is well-documented, with cavalry units playing a significant part in battles for centuries. However, the advent of tanks, armored vehicles, and helicopters largely relegated horses to history. The current experiments suggest a potential resurgence for these traditional modes of transport in specific operational contexts.
Using horses in combat is not without precedent in modern times. American special forces famously employed horses during their operations in Afghanistan shortly after the September 11th attacks in 2001. A 12-man team from the 5th Special Forces Group rode horses across rugged terrain, fighting alongside local forces against the Taliban. This mission marked the first instance of U.S. troops riding into combat on horseback since 1942, earning the soldiers the nickname "Horse Soldiers."
