A new RUSI report urges the UK to prepare for mass military mobilisation now and boost efforts to expand the Armed Forces amid growing Russian military threats
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has received a stark warning regarding Britain’s capacity to mobilise for conflict as a major European nation considers mandatory military service. A shocking new study calls on the UK to prepare for mass mobilisation immediately and to strengthen efforts to expand the Armed Forces.
The UK must double its ground force personnel numbers in the face of mounting threats from Vladimir Putin’s Russia, according to RUSI. The report contends that mobilisation in Britain will need to extend beyond increasing volunteer reserve numbers or recalling veterans who served in the strategic reserve.
The think tank also suggests conscription would differ from the basic military duties performed in brief deployments during the 1950s and 60s. Paul O’Neill, senior associate fellow at the prominent think tank, stated the optimal time to have begun scaling up UK mobilisation plans was a decade ago, noting that the “next best time” is now.
He told The Sun in 10 words: “Is it going to be too late? I don’t know.”
The expert informed the same publication the UK needs to expand its capacity to accommodate more reserves, reports the Express. As of April last year, there were 181,890 personnel in Britain’s Armed Forces. From that figure, 82,000 were in the army, according to the House of Commons Library.
Of the total figure, 17.5% were volunteer reserves while 77.7% were full-time service personnel.
Mr O’Neill stated the UK has a history of mobilising too late, contending that governments are reluctant to commit to the economic expenses. He suggested that legally requiring compulsory military service for citizens should also be examined. Such a proposal has been discussed in Germany while France is implementing a limited-scale conscription programme.
Germany is pursuing extensive rearmament strategies, aiming to allocate approximately £132.7billion (153 billion euros) on defence by 2029.
RUSI’s report stated that conscription in Britain is “currently unrealistic” as society isn’t prepared for it and the Armed Forces lack the capacity to accommodate or train a substantial influx.
The report’s release coincides with mounting pressure on the Government to reveal its funding strategy for Britain’s future defence expenditure. The defence investment blueprint was scheduled for publication in autumn 2025.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson confirmed they are reversing the four-year downturn in armed forces recruitment, with more personnel now enlisting than departing for the first time since 2020. They noted that female Army applicants have reached their highest level in five years and the Government is implementing decisive measures on recruitment and retention.
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