Tensions between Russia and NATO make the possibility of World War 3 feel more real.
The possibility of conscription is becoming more real (Image: Getty)
The rising tensions between Russian President Vladimir Putin and NATO have made the idea of a potential world conflict more real and more likely. The Moscow Kremlin has issued a number of stark warnings to the West, leading countries to prepare for the worst, that is, the event of World War 3.
However, if that were to come to pass, it leaves the question of who would actually have to fight? Military experts have warned that the current army numbers are not enough, and former MP and ex-British Army officer Dr Mike Martin has advised that conscription would be necessary, reports the London Economic.
WW3 fears have been growing (Image: Getty)
DR Martin told The Big Issue that the UK would need conscription because “we’re not at a stage yet where we can replace people with drones”.
He added: “We’re a long way off from that. Drones are fine, as far as they go, but you still need people to occupy villages, hold ground, and all the rest of it. And that’s not going to change for quite some time.”
Young, fit men and single people without children are most likely to get called up first, as this was the case in the past. In 1939, those who were fit and aged 21 and 21 were conscripted before the war had begun. A later change in the rules saw it include men aged 18 to 41.
In World War 2, those without children were drafted first to prevent disruption in families.
One group, however, that has never previously been drafted for direct combat, could get the call-up for the first time should World War 3 break out. Women could also be among those facing conscription.
In World War 2, women aged between 20 and 30 were drafted for roles related to war, including nursing, munitions, and auxiliary positions. It is not certain that women will definitely be drafted. However, a recent YouGov poll found that 72% of Brits support women fighting on the frontlines.
Labour Prime minister Keir Starmer has claimed that “nobody is talking about conscription” whilst appearing on the News Agent podcast. Though it was not long ago that former Prime minister Rishi Sunak was proposing national service for all 18-year-olds.
Just last year, General Sir Patrick Sanders warned the Government that Brits should prepare for conscription “within six years” if the threat of Putin’s Russia doesn’t subside.
While it is not certain whether a global war will break out, it appears that preparing for the possibility is something more and more leaders in the West are considering.
