Pursatni Royal Dragoon Scouts
The Pursatni Royal Dragoon Scouts (Burg: Reial Scouts de Drac de Pursat) was a special horse unit of the Burgoignesc Foreign Legion, that operated in Operation Kipling against the communist guerrillas in Pursat, Kulaparkar, and Jalqolak. The unit was raised in 1966 and was disbanded in 1984 at the conclusion of Kipling's combat operations.
| Pursatni Royal Dragoon Scouts | |
|---|---|
_160603-N-WI365-009.jpg) A modern Dragoon Scout working with locals in his district. | |
| Active | 1967–1984 2025-present |
| Country |  Pursat
|
| Allegiance |  Burgundie (1967–1984( Pursat2025-present
|
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Dragoons |
| Role | Counterinsurgency |
| Size | Battalion |
| Garrison/HQ | Vishnasi |
| Engagements | Operation Kipling |
| Commanders | |
| Current
commander |
Ravi Thakre |
It was reformed in 2025 by the Army of Pursat and operates as a mobile armored gendarmerie in special cooperation with the National Gendarmerie of Burgundie.
History
Main article: Dragonnades
Burgundie had historically employed units of dragoons in its colonies from the 17th through to the early 20th centuries. Particularly in Alshar, squadrons of dragoons fought in the pacification campaigns of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as well as in the First and Second Great War.
In 1967, the Army of Burgundie created an experimental horse platoon, to operate against the guerrillas in the high grass regions of southwestern Pursat. Each soldier of this unit was armed with an assault rifle to use in combat on foot, and with an automatic pistol to use while on horseback. The troops on horseback were able to operate in difficult terrain (unsuited for motor vehicles), were less vulnerable to landmines and had the advantage of being able to control the area around them, with a clear view over the grass (which foot troops did not have). Moreover, these unconventional troops created a psychological impact over the enemy, who were not accustomed to dealing with horse troops and had no kind of training or strategy with which to face them.
The experimental horse platoon was so successful that its entire parent battalion (the Reconnaissance Group of Pursat) was transformed from an armored reconnaissance unit - equipped mainly with Panhard EBR armored cars - to a three squadron horse battalion known as the "Pursatni Royal Dragoon Scouts". One of the typical operations carried out by the Dragoons, in cooperation with airmobile forces, consisting of the dragoons chasing the guerrillas and pushing them into one direction, with the airmobile troops being launched from a helicopter in the enemy rear, getting it trapped between the two forces.
The model was replicated in various other theaters during Operation Kipling including:
- Southwestern Jalqolak
- Kharan-dun, Sonsteadish and Bakmal Steepes
- Khatosthan, Sonsteadish Steepe
- Khyarvi, Bakmal Steepe
- Xingkai'pei