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Navigation Title:<\/b><\/td>Introduction<\/td><\/tr>'); metaDataWindow.document.write('
Keywords:<\/b><\/td>Armour Centre<\/td><\/tr>'); metaDataWindow.document.write('
Description:<\/b><\/td>An Introduction To The Armour Centre<\/td><\/tr>'); metaDataWindow.document.write('
Content Contact:<\/b><\/td>John Atkinson<\/td><\/tr>'); metaDataWindow.document.write('
Telephone:<\/b><\/td>01929 403434<\/td><\/tr>'); metaDataWindow.document.write('
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Introduction

The Armour Centre is the British Army's Centre of Excellence for training in the core skills of armoured warfare using Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs). These skills include AFV driving and maintenance, together with the operation of associated weapon systems and communication equipment.

The Centre's Vision is to retain its position as a world class AFV training establishment with a reputation for quality and innovation, drawing on the potential offered by digital and synthetic training systems to deliver affordable, flexible and customer focused training.

The Armour Centre is located in South Dorset at Bovington near the Tank Museum and also at Lulworth.

Within the Armour Centre, the AFV Training Group is the body that provides training to all Phase 2 and Phase 3 Soldiers and Officers in the various armoured disciplines in order to meet the needs of the Field Army.

The AFV Training Group comprises three Schools, plus the Royal Armoured Corps (RAC) Training Regiment, an administrative Headquarters and a number of private contractors/partners.

Chart Showing the Military, Civilian and Contractoral Population Ratio

population ratio chart bovington

  • AFV Driving & Maintenance (D&M) School: The main purpose of the Driving & Maintenance School is to provide the Army's AFV Commanders, Crewmen, Instructors and MOD-approved civilians with the skills to maximise the mobility of their AFVs on every sort of terrain and in every type of environment. The D&M School is based at Bovington.
  • AFV Communications and Information Systems (CIS) School: Also located at Bovington, the CIS School's primary task is to train Commanders, Crewmen and Instructors in AFV Command, Control and Communication.
  • AFV Gunnery School: Situated on the coast at Lulworth, 7 miles south of Bovington, the Gunnery School's main purpose is to train Officer and Non-Commissioned Officer Instructors and Crewmen in AFV direct fire. The School also provides expertise and advice to the Field Army.
  • RAC Training Regiment: Provides general military training and administration, including welfare support, for students and staff.
  • HQ Armour Centre: The Headquarters creates and maintains the Amour Centre's management plans, obtains and manages the annual budget, coordinates the annual Statement of Training Requirements' planning, plans training resources and manages the built and rural estate.
  • Private Contractors/Partners: A range of organisations are contracted to provide a variety of services including training and instruction, catering, cleaning, estate maintenance/new works and driver training.