Changes to armed forces legislation could free up thousands of troops to mobilise in the event of a major global conflict.
The government is set to announce new powers making it easier to call up reservists for war (Image: Getty)
New rules set to be rolled out by the UK Government will make it easier to mobilise thousands of troops in preparation for a potential global conflict. The changes, which will be published as part of new legislation for the armed forces in parliament, will lower the thresholds for volunteer reservists being called into service, according to reports.
The measures will also change the age limit for members of the strategic armed forces reserve, made up of former service personnel. The age limit for the strategic reserve will be increased from 55 to 65 under the new rules, with the situational threshold for mobilisation of members also relaxed to meet imminent threats.
Defence secretary John Healey has pledged to launch a ‘new era for defence’ (Image: Getty)
They are currently only called upon in the event of “national danger, great emergency or attack in the UK”, but if the changes are approved by Parliament, they will be mobilised for “warlike preparations” from next year, reports the BBC.
It comes as the prospect of a major world conflict continues to move from theory to Government policy, with countries across Europe undergoing rapid militarisation.
Nine out of 27 members of the European Union have already solidified mandatory military service for the 2025/26 year, including most recently Croatia, which confirmed it would resume conscription for young men early this year after previously suspending it in 2008.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey previously announced a “gap year” scheme to give under-25s experience in the armed forces, which he described as part of a “new era for defence”.
The proposed changes mean reservists and strategic reservists could be at the forefront of those in line to be recruited under new conscription plans.
People first in line for conscription under the new rules:
– Reservists – Civilians volunteers who serve part-time while maintaining other careers.
– Strategic reservists – Former service members who form a national back-up force of experienced personnel.
– Young fit men – A historically prioritised group because of their physical health, rapid training capacity and capability of serving over long periods.
– Single people without children – Family status has historically been a factor in determining who is sent to the frontline, with the government previously making an effort to avoid breaking up parents and children.
– Women – The UK has never officially drafted women for direct frontline combat, although this could change, with a 2024 YouGov poll finding that 72% of Brits support having both genders on the frontlines.
– Older people, if the war drags on – The longer conflict continues, the more likely it is that older people will be drafted to fight, with citizens aged up to 51 conscripted by the end of the Second World War.
