More than 270 members of the British Army and the Royal Air Force participated in a remarkable parachute drop exercise at Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, on March 30, 2026. This operation stands as the largest military parachute drop in the UK for over a decade, showcasing the commitment to maintaining and enhancing airborne capabilities.

Soldiers jumped from an altitude of 800 feet in four waves, each consisting of 69 paratroopers, all deployed from A400M Atlas transport aircraft. The exercise also involved the drop of 24 tonnes of essential supplies, including weapons, ammunition, and food, underscoring the logistical capabilities of the forces.

The recent drop is particularly significant, as it marks the largest parachute operation in the UK since 2015. The A400M has now taken over as the military’s primary aircraft for low-level parachuting following the retirement of the C-130 in 2023, reflecting advancements in military aviation.

Brigadier Ed Cartwright, who oversaw the operation, expressed the importance of such exercises, stating, “It’s a dangerous world and we need to give our policymakers and government options to do things about that.” His sentiments were echoed by L/Cpl Robin Nichols, who remarked, “It was quite an exciting time, you could feel it in the hangar this morning, the tension, a little bit.”

Training exercises like this are vital for the British Army and the Royal Air Force, as they work to rebuild parachuting capabilities amid growing global threats. Troops can deploy a company of about 200 to 300 paratroopers within approximately two days, while almost an entire battlegroup of roughly 1,000 troops can be mobilized within five days. The bulk of a brigade, around 5,000 soldiers, can be deployed within about 20 days.

Brigadier Cartwright humorously noted his landing experience, saying, “Not my best landing ever, but I’m down, I’m safe, I’m not broken.” This light-hearted comment highlights the camaraderie and resilience among the troops involved in such high-stakes training.

As the military continues to adapt and prepare for potential challenges, observers will be keen to see how these exercises evolve and what further capabilities will be developed in the future. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the next steps in enhancing the parachuting program.

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The numbers

In a significant shift for the metaverse, Meta has confirmed that its virtual reality platform, Horizon Worlds, will no longer be available in VR after June 15, 2026. This decision comes as part of a broader reorientation of Meta’s metaverse strategy, which has seen the company invest a staggering $80 billion in this emerging technology.

As part of this transition, Horizon Worlds will be removed from the Quest Store by March 31, 2026. Despite the shutdown of this VR platform, Meta reassures users that its VR hardware line will continue to thrive. “We have a robust roadmap of future VR headsets that will be tailored to different audience segments as the market grows and matures,” a Meta spokesperson stated.

The decision to pivot away from Horizon Worlds reflects a larger trend within the metaverse space. While Meta has been a leading force in VR, it appears that the anticipated customer-facing services within the metaverse have yet to materialize in any meaningful way. Observers note that by 2026, 25% of people are expected to spend at least one hour a day in the metaverse for various activities, including work, shopping, education, and entertainment, according to industry analyst Marty Resnick.

Historically, Meta’s commitment to the metaverse has been unwavering since it rebranded from Facebook to Meta a few years ago. The company has remained the single biggest investor in the VR industry, pushing forward with ambitious plans. However, as the metaverse evolves, it has become clear that certain initiatives, such as Horizon Worlds, may not meet the expectations set by both the company and its users.

In a related development, companies like Walmart have successfully integrated VR into their training programs. Since 2021, Walmart has utilized VR-based training for its contact center agents, leading to impressive results. A recent survey revealed that the average annual turnover rate in contact centers has reached 60%, highlighting the need for effective training solutions. Strivr, a VR training provider, has reduced total training time for Walmart associates from eight hours down to just 15 minutes, while employee satisfaction scores rose by 30% following VR training.

Furthermore, associates who underwent VR training scored 10-15% higher on post-training assessments, showcasing the effectiveness of immersive learning experiences. This success story contrasts with Meta’s challenges in establishing a viable customer-facing metaverse service, emphasizing the importance of adapting to user needs and market demands.

Looking ahead, the landscape of the metaverse continues to evolve. By 2026, it is projected that 30% of organizations worldwide will have products and services ready for the metaverse. However, as Marty Resnick cautions, “It is still too early to know which investments will be viable in the long term, but product managers should take the time to learn, explore and prepare for a metaverse in order to position themselves competitively.” Details remain unconfirmed regarding the specific features and functionalities of Meta’s upcoming mobile app for Horizon Worlds, but the company is clearly focused on adapting to the changing needs of its audience.

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Compulsory Military Service Returns

Compulsory military service in Croatia is making a comeback after nearly 20 years, with the first batch of 800 conscripts commencing their training on March 9, 2026. This significant policy shift reflects a renewed focus on national defense.

Of the 800 conscripts, approximately 446 volunteered for service, while 354 are serving under compulsory obligations. Notably, one in ten of the conscripts are women, who are not required to serve but have chosen to enlist.

Training and Financial Aspects

The conscripts will undergo two months of basic military training, which will include instruction on essential military skills and key operations from Croatia’s War for Independence. Each year, up to 4,000 conscripts are expected to be called up for training.

Financially, the annual cost of this basic military training is estimated at around 23.7 million euros. Conscripts will receive a net monthly allowance of approximately 1,100 euros during their service.

Conscientious Objection and Future Prospects

For those who declare conscientious objection, alternative civilian service will be provided instead of military training. So far, only 10 conscripts have opted for this route.

Ivan Anusic, the Croatian Minister of Defense, expressed optimism about the program, stating, “I hope that some of the conscripts will decide on a career in the Croatian Army after completing their military training.” He also noted, “Today, we are ending but also starting a major project that has been in preparation for a year-and-a-half.”

Compulsory military service in Croatia was abolished in 2007, marking a significant shift in the country’s defense policy. The reinstatement of conscription comes amid evolving security concerns in the region.

As Croatia embarks on this new chapter in its military history, observers will be watching closely to see how this initiative impacts the Croatian Armed Forces and the broader defense landscape.

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