A British army commander has warned that if Britain goes to war with Russia, Brits could be called up because the army is “too small”.
The outgoing chief of staff, General Patrick Saunders, has previously criticized the military’s staffing shortages and is now urging the British public to prepare to fight in the event of a wider conflict with Russia, which continues its war with Ukraine. I’m looking for it. He told attendees at the International Armored Vehicles Conference in Twickenham, south London, that his ministers should “mobilize the people”.
Mr Sanders is not thought to support conscription, but he does think there should be a “change” in people’s thinking about who should be willing to defend the country.
Military leaders said in a speech Wednesday that building up military strength for potential conflict needs to be a “whole-of-nation undertaking.”
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The comments, first reported by the Daily Telegraph, are being read as a warning that British men and women should be ready to be called into the armed forces if NATO goes to war with Russia.
The remarks come as Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said in a speech last week that the world was moving “from a post-war world to a pre-war world” and Britain had “the whole defense ecosystem at the ready” to protect the homeland. This was in response to the statement that it was necessary to confirm that
But Downing Street ruled out any move towards conscription, saying military service would remain voluntary.
How the size of the military has shrunk since 1950
Mr Saunders’ comments came as figures show the size of the British Army has shrunk significantly since conscription ended in 1960. According to British military data, there will be 74,000 soldiers in the army in 2023, down from more than 800,000 in 1952. Conscription was still in force. The numbers also represent a reduction in headcount from his 102,000 in 2006.
The figures were confirmed by former British Army chief of staff General Lord Dannatt, who said the size of the army was “rapidly declining”. He drew parallels with the 1930s, when the “pathetic” state of the British military failed to stop Hitler, and said there was “a grave risk of history repeating itself”.
How does conscription work?
It is difficult to say how conscription would work if it were reinstated in the UK. Currently, the UK does not have a conscription system and the military relies on people wanting to pursue a career in the military.
However, in times of war, the government adopted a conscription system, both during and after World War I. Initially, single men between the ages of 18 and 41 were called up for military service, but the law was soon amended to include married men and raise the age limit to 51.
During World War II, single men between the ages of 20 and 22 were initially called up, but as the war escalated, all men between the ages of 18 and 51 were eventually called up. I did. The exemption also includes police officers, students, pastors and religious ministers.
The second National Service Law further expanded the scope of conscription by imposing compulsory military service on all unmarried women between the ages of 20 and 30 and on all childless widows.
If military conscription is reinstated, it is likely that women will also be called up, as attitudes toward gender equality have changed in the decades since the last time they were drafted. Since 2018, women have been able to serve in all combat roles next to men.
What do British people think about conscription?
General Dannatt calls for conscription if necessary, but British people generally do not support compulsory conscription.
According to a YouGov survey Since September last year, Brits have become more likely to support voluntary systems over mandatory ones. In fact, there is no majority for any coercive scheme, with only one month-long social service scheme being supported by 45%, with a further 45% opposed.
Brits consistently oppose any form of compulsory conscription, with 64% opposed to a year-long plan, compared to less than a third (28%) who support it. It is.
Dividing supporters and opponents by age, young people overwhelmingly oppose one-year compulsory conscription, with almost 80% of 18-24 year olds, the age group at which conscription occurs, opposing it. is answering. However, only 10% agreed. Support increases among older age groups, with 46% of those aged 65 and over supporting it and 46% opposing it.
Which countries in Europe still have conscription?
Although conscription is not common throughout Europe, there are still 15 countries on the continent that use conscription. The UK abolished National Service over 60 years ago, but several countries maintain it even in peacetime.
they are:
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Austria – Obligation for men over 18 years of age (military or alternative service)
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cyprus – Mandatory for all men between the ages of 18 and 50
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Denmark – Obligation for men over 18 years of age (military or alternative service)
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estonia – Required for men over 18 years old
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Finland – Obligation for men over 18 years of age (military or alternative service)
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Greece – Required for men aged 19-45
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latvia – Required for men aged 18-27
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Lithuania – Required for selected men aged 18-23
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moldova – Required for selected men aged 18-49
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Norway – Required for men and women aged 19-44
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Russia – Required for men aged 18-30
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Sweden – Required for men and women over 18 years old
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Switzerland – Required for men aged 18-30
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turkey – Required for men aged 21-41
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ukraine – Required for men over 25 years old
