Should the UK train a civilian reserve now rather than wait until war makes mass mobilisation necessary?
The 2025 Strategic Defence Review recommends developing options for a new civilian force modelled on the Reserves to protect critical national infrastructure during crises, with plans due by December 2026. The government is expanding the strategic reserve of 95,000 veterans, raising the recall age to 65, and will test large-scale mobilisation in 2027 exercises amid heightened tensions with Russia. It has ruled out compulsory service while promoting voluntary schemes and home defence preparations.
5 Opinions
The best way to keep peace is by making sure we're ready for war, so bad actors don't chance it.
I don't like war in any way, it seems to begin because someone wants power or revenge. As each generation can't seem to get past this desire, we are going to need to protect ourselves in the future, with things in the world progressing as they are. The thought is terrifying, but if certain people continue blowing up countries to get the power they demand, what else is there?
Cannon fodder springs to mind !
We need to return our professional army to a suitable level for our defence. We need to cut out of control welfare spending so we can afford defence
Professional army, especially with how the sophisticated current equipment and tactics are, always will be better. Civilian reserves reek desperation and years of neglection in the matter.