The brigade is part of Lord Robertson's Strategic Defence Review

The Prince of Wales and Defence Secretary Lord Robertson watched it go through its paces at a display at RAF Wattisham, near Stowmarket, Suffolk.

The brigade put on a display of firepower, involving more than 30 aircraft from both the army and RAF.

There was also a parachute drop by 80 paratroopers.

Rapid reaction force

Formed as a result of the government's Strategic Defence Review, the 16 Air Assault Brigade and 12 Mechanised Brigade will form the cornerstone of Britain's rapid reaction forces.

The new 10,000-strong brigade boasts two parachute regiments, attack helicopters and mobile air artillery.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman described it as "the most potent fighting force we have ever had".

Commanded by Brigadier Peter Wall, it combines the expertise of 24 Air Mobile Brigade and 5 Airborne Brigade.

Its units will be based at Colchester in Essex, Wattisham in Suffolk, and Dover in Kent.

Attack helicopter

Lord Robertson said the brigade would enable the British army to meet the military challenges of the 21st century.

"By combining cutting edge technology with ground-breaking doctrine and highly professional troops we are creating what will be one of the most powerful brigade sized formations in Europe," he said.

Rapid reaction forces can deal with crises like Kosovo

"It brings together capabilities from our current air mobile and airborne brigades and creates a formation that considerably strengthens the combat potential of our armed forces."

Lord Robertson added that the brigade would be a potent new weapon to support British and Allied interest, and the development of European capabilities within Nato.

The brigade will be spearheaded by three regiments of Apache helicopters - two regiments will be based at Wattisham and one at Dishforth in North Yorkshire.

The first of the new British versions of the attack helicopters are expected to be ready for service in March 2000, and the brigade should be operating at full capacity by 2004.

Modern light cavalry

Charles Heyman, editor of Jane's World Armies, said the brigade "should be a very capable air assault formation".

But he said it could only play a limited role in a high-intensity operation, as it lacked the punch of a heavily armoured brigade.

"In effect it is modern light cavalry - effective in securing your flanks, reconnaissance, some intelligence, raiding, and blocking positions."

But he warned that the brigade would require a high number of highly trained technicians - in short supply due to poor pay.

"There is a serious personnel shortage right across all three armed forces," he said. "But as this is a high-profile formation, I expect it will be fully manned - probably at the expense of other armoured formations."

The brigade replaces the British Army's elite 5 Airborne Brigade, encompassing the Parachute Regiment and other airborne units, which was established in 1983.

The Royal Navy, RAF and Army will also form a Joint Rapid Reaction Force able to deploy two formations, each of about 15,000 personnel in strength, on two separate operations as part of the review.