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.
3 Opinions
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.