After a decade of transformation, UK Commando Force is born

June 11, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

The UK has renamed 3 Commando Brigade as the UK Commando Force as part of the ongoing modernization of the Royal Marines and wider amphibious warfare capabilities.

The Commando Force transformation began in 2017 as all those serving in the 3 Commando Brigade – Marines, Army, and Navy Commandos, modernized with new tactics and ways of operating, while embracing modern technologies to meet the evolving challenge of warfare.

Since then, the Commando Force has introduced to their arsenal new crewed and uncrewed systems and vessels, including aerial and surface drones, while investing in weaponry to suit their missions, as well as surveillance, digital communications systems, and battlefield vehicles.

The 3 Commando Brigade name is synonymous with the early post-World War 2 era, the Falklands War in 1982, and subsequent conflicts in the Middle East.

According to the officials, it will continue to remain a key part of the Royal Marines Commando history and will continue to inspire today’s Commando Force. The new name that has been phased in over a number of years better reflects this modern era, it was highlighted.

King Charles III has announced that 3 Commando Brigade will be renamed the UK Commando Force, as he addressed Royal Marines at a ceremony at Windsor Castle, where new colours were presented to 40, 42, 43 and 45 Commando. He praised their ability to operate in all conditions and said the change marked the closing of one chapter and the beginning of another for the force.

“Our Royal Marines have evolved from a very high readiness amphibious brigade into a modern, globally deployed Commando Force, designed to operate in the most demanding environments,” General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, the First Sea Lord and Commandant General Royal Marines, said.

“That is why United Kingdom Commando Force better represents who they are now: highly versatile, technologically advanced strike teams, specialised for a huge array of tasks and perfectly adapted to the nature of 21st-Century warfare. A Force ready to fight and win — wherever and whenever the nation requires.”

Jenkins added that this is more than a name change; it reflects a decade of transformation.