Armoured Infantry Corps

The **Armoured Infantry Corps (AIC)** provides the armour capabilities of the Infantry Combat Unit of the White Wolves, with vehicles such as the Challenger 2 tank and Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicle. The unit owns 172 vehicles, manned by 462 operators and maintained by 42 engineers.

## History

### Origins

Formed in 1985 as the Mobilised Combat Unit, the modern day Armoured Infantry Corps was established when the need for a mobilised and armoured unit became clear. The unit began with the purchase of four FV 4030 Challenger I tanks from the United Kingdom via the United Nations, for approximately £10.5 million (in today's money). These tanks are still owned by the AIC, however, they don't see service, and are instead used for ceremonies.

In 1989, the unit was renamed to the Armoured Infantry Corps.

### Expansion

The four Challenger tanks served the Corps well, however, in 1991, during the Gulf War, the unit needed to expand to keep up with other nations and militaries.

The White Wolves turned to the United States, whom they asked for any number of M1A1 Abrams . Fortunately, the USA accepted the purchase, and sold three units to the White Wolves, for a cost of approximately £20.8 million (in today's money).

The Corps now had seven tanks, but Jack decided that the Corps should look past main battle tanks, and look toward armoured personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles and other armoured vehicles.

### Introduction of the Engineer Corps

With the unit expanding, they required a dedicated force to maintain and repair the vehicles of their fleet, thus the Engineer Corps were formed in 1993. The Engineer Corps' numbers are directly proportional to the number of vehicles in the fleet, with an average of two engineers per vehicle, subtracting their own. Therefore, there were fourteen engineers upon its formation.

### Turn of the Millennium

Jack's second expansion plan went into effect in 1999, which started with the purchase of six Land Rover Defender 110 units for approximately £70,000, plus the cost of modifications. The vehicles were fitted with machine guns and were strengthened to cope with the stresses of military use. All six of these vehicles are still in service in the Light Cavalry Command, noticeable by their asset numbers. The Defenders in service with the White Wolves became well recognised, being some of the first vehicles to bear the Tricolour logo.

Since the Gulf War had ended by this point, Jack once again turned to the United Kingdom. After months of discussion with the British government, Jack was able to secure three Challenger 2 tanks, which would complement their four predecessors still in service.

### Introduction of IFVs

In 2001, Jack, along with much of the Corps, persisted that they needed armoured vehicles other than tanks. In response, the White Wolves began looking for a suitable Infantry Fighting Vehicle to add to their fleet. At first, they looked at the Soviet BMP-1 as a means of getting an IFV for cheap, that was, until they found out about the American M2 Bradley.

The M2 Bradley had been in use for twenty years before, but the White Wolves had missed its introduction. The vehicle was just what they needed however: a semi-amphibious, three-man crew, long-range, six-passenger armoured vehicle. A line of communication once again opened up with the USA, and the White Wolves purchased four units, for approximately £10 million.

### Rapid Expansion of the Armoured Infantry Corps

In the early years of the 2000s, the White Wolves were doing very well, and as a result, each combat unit received a large, though temporary, increase to their budget. This allowed the Armoured Infantry Corps to expand their fleet, acquiring vehicles of various kinds from multiple different nations.

### Future vehicles

Since 2012, the Armoured Infantry Corps and the Research & Development Unit have discussed designing and building their own tanks, a move that would potentially save money and make maintenance more uniform and therefore easier. However, a combination of lack of tank engineering knowledge and budget, the project has stagnated for nearly a decade. This is due in part because much of the budget received by the Research & Development Unit is put to naval and aeronautical projects as opposed to ground warfare systems.

## Units

### Tank Command

Tank unit of the Armoured Infantry Corps, providing heavy fire support for front-line infantry forces. Often the first vehicles into combat, they are the heaviest units with firepower to suit. They also often bare flags of the White Wolves, and are seen in ceremonies.

### Armoured Vehicle Command

Transportation of infantry and protection of assets, utilising infantry carrier vehicles and tactical armoured vehicles. Often supports United Nations in protection and security, and sometimes used for reconnaissance missions in areas of rough terrain.

### Light Cavalry Command

Sixteen Land Rover Defender 110 vehicles, heavily modified for military use. Armed and armoured, the Defenders are often deployed on reconnaissance missions and security detail. Due to their versatility, the vehicles and their operators are not limited to infantry support, they are also used on Search & Rescue missions and transportation of troops and cargo.

### Heavy Infantry Unit

Operators of the armoured personnel carrier fleet and providers of front-line combat support, the Heavy Infantry Unit are heavily armoured in bullet-proof uniforms and armed with automatic shotguns and light machine guns, as well as mounted machine guns. The presence of the Heavy Infantry Unit usually indicates a serious incident.

### Engineer Corps

Forty-two engineers responsible for vehicles of the four other units. The Engineer Corps use heavily-modified Land Rover Defender 110 SVX vehicles, equipped with tools, generators and winches. The unit make use of 20 of these vehicles, meaning all 42 engineers can be deployed at once. The Corps also have two White Wolves designed ARV-42 units, as well as a British Combat Engineer Tractor, built to rescue stranded or disabled vehicles. The corps are also known by their nickname, "The Machine Men".