Scots regiments heading for Gulf

The Scots dragoons are equipped with Challengers

More than 1,000 troops from two of Scotland's most famous regiments are being sent to the Gulf for possible action against Iraq.

In a statement to the House of Commons, Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon announced the deployment of a land force of about 26,000 troops for potential operations in Iraq.

Mr Hoon said that deployment will include troops from the Black Watch and the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.

Two Scots regiments are being sent

The move is being regarded as the most significant step so far in the British military build-up, meaning that substantial numbers of British armoured troops will be stationed in Kuwait by the middle of February.

Mr Hoon said the deployment - of about a quarter of the British Army - would provide "the right group of forces for the sort of tasks that may be necessary".

Mr Hoon said deployment on this scale was "no ordinary measure".

However, he said: "None of the steps we are taking represents a commitment of British forces to military action.

Desert Rats

"A decision to employ force has not been taken, nor is such a decision imminent or inevitable."

Soldiers from the Black Watch and the Scots Dragoon Guards are currently serving in Germany.

Both Scottish regiments are part of the 7th Armoured Brigade, better known as the Deserts Rats.

It is believed that the entire regiments, plus support staff, will be dispatched to the Gulf, meaning a total force of about 1,500 personnel.

Senior regiment

The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards recently finished a peacekeeping tour of Kosovo which saw the first operational deployment of the Army's new Challenger 2 battle tank.

Scotland's senior regiment took part in the Gulf War in 1991 as part of the 7th Armoured Brigade.

The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards was formed in 1971 from the union of the 3rd Carabiniers and the Royal Scots Greys.

Additional companies

Scotland's only regular cavalry will be joined by armoured infantry from the Black Watch, one of the most historic regiments in the British Army.

It began life as six independent companies formed from 1725 and stationed across the Highlands.

It became a fully-fledged regiment in 1739 when King George II authorised the raising of four additional companies.

The 1st Battalion fought in the Gulf War and is part of Britain's contribution to Allied Commander Europe's Rapid Reaction Corps, the ARRC.