DHAKA: The Army is setting up a new unit that will use psychological operations and social media to help fight wars ‘in the information age’.

Head of the Army General Sir Nick Carter said the move was about trying to operate ‘smarter’, reports the BBC.

The 77th Brigade, made up of reservists and regular troops and based in Hermitage, Berkshire, will be formally created in April.

It has been inspired by the Chindits who fought in Burma in World War Two.

An Army spokesman said the unit would ‘play a key part in enabling the UK to fight in the information age’ and that it ‘consists of more than just traditional capabilities’.

He said, ‘77 Brigade is being created to draw together a host of existing and developing capabilities essential to meet the challenges of modern conflict and warfare’.

‘It recognises that the actions of others in a modern battlefield can be affected in ways that are not necessarily violent and it draws heavily on important lessons from our commitments to operations in Afghanistan amongst others.’

Recruitment for the brigade, which will contain 42% reservist troops, will begin this spring.

BDST: 1212 HRS, JAN 31, 2015