The head of the Army is advocating for Britain to train a “citizen army” prepared for potential future land warfare, emphasizing that merely increasing reserve forces won’t suffice.
General Sir Patrick Sanders, addressing an armored vehicle conference, is not advocating for conscription but rather laying the groundwork for a voluntary call-up in case of war.
Highlighting the threat from Russia, General Sir Patrick points to European nations like Sweden and Finland, who are actively putting their populations on a “war footing.”
He stresses the need to equip and modernize the UK’s armed forces while urging the “pre-war generation” to prepare for the possibility of war, framing it as a “whole-of-nation undertaking.”
Expressing concerns about Britain’s readiness, General Sir Patrick calls for reversing recent cuts to the Army’s size, currently standing at approximately 73,000, down from around 100,000 in 2010. He envisions an army designed for rapid expansion, citing the steps taken by nations facing a closer Russian threat.
Despite these warnings, there’s political apprehension. The UK prime minister’s spokesman dismisses hypothetical conflict scenarios and rules out moving toward a conscription model.
Some MPs, like one senior Conservative, feel there may be a lack of appreciation for the Russia threat, suggesting it could stem from the prime minister’s upbringing during the Cold War.
General Sir Patrick underscores the importance of learning from history, cautioning against repeating mistakes made in 1914, when the nation failed to perceive the escalations leading to World War One.
While acknowledging the Army’s significant reduction in size over the last 30 years, he notes a recent surge in recruitment applications, challenging the narrative of declining interest.
A vocal critic of cuts to troop numbers and military spending, General Sir Patrick is set to be replaced as Chief of the General Staff in June by General Sir Roly Walker. Former CGS General Lord Dannatt echoes concerns, warning that the UK risks a repeat of the 1930s without increased investment in its armed forces.