British commandos have constructed an underground hospital near Glasgow to help prepare for drone threats on the battlefield. Engineers built the subterranean facility at Barnsford Bridge in Renfrewshire as part of a landmark test drawing inspiration from the war in Ukraine.
Six-day build and design
A team of 24 Commando Royal Engineers spent six days creating a 20m by 20m hospital, roughly the size of one-and-a-half tennis courts, excavating about 243 cubic metres of rock and soil. The Royal Navy said medics and engineers collaborated on the design, assessing medical needs and outlining building constraints, including a trench system engineered for maximum blast protection.
Once complete, medical specialists from the Special Operations Surgical Team and the Commando Forward Surgical Group from 48 Commando were able to resuscitate 'casualties' and perform 'surgery' on troops during Exercise Strike Warrior in south-west Scotland.
Inspiration from Ukraine
The Royal Navy explained that as threats evolve, from drones to missiles, medical facilities must adapt, and underground spaces—whether built from scratch or using existing caves or tunnels—can offer significant protection and concealment. This has led medical personnel deploying on UK Commando Force operations to study the practicalities of working in subterranean spaces, taking cues from Ukraine's medics.
The temporary facility at Barnsford Bridge is part of ongoing work to develop, trial, and standardise subterranean facilities for future use across the Commando Force and Corps of Royal Engineers, progressing from prototype to full operational capability.
Training and lessons
Lieutenant Michael Mathers, Access Troop Commander of 54 Commando Squadron, which led the project, said the troops gained first-hand experience of modern peer-on-peer conflict, where survivability, protection, and concealment are vital. He noted the project provided valuable engineering training across multiple trades, challenging soldiers to develop new skills and adapt techniques to a novel environment, while highlighting areas for continued innovation.
Chief Petty Officer Ellie Walls of Commando Forward Surgical Group said lessons from Ukraine and other subterranean medical uses can be reviewed, but personnel must experience the issues themselves to fully understand them. She added that the risks of working below ground must be weighed against those of operating above ground.
