Britons 'could be called up to fight' in war with Russia, warns Army chief

General Patrick Sanders will step down from his position later this year

(Image credit: Mustafa Yilmaz/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

published 24 January 2024

British citizens should be prepared to be called up to fight should the UK go to war with Russia, the head of the Army has warned.

General Sir Patrick Sanders will express concerns over the size of the military and Britain's readiness to fight in a speech at the International Armoured Vehicles exhibition in Twickenham on Wednesday.

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It is understood the general "would not support conscription", but wants British people to "think more like troops" and be "mentally prepared" for war with Russia, said The Telegraph.

Any introduction of conscription "would be the first time in over 60 years that Brits would be required to fight", said The Sun. "Mandatory military service was introduced during the First World War after the government passed the Military Service Act in 1916."

There are also ongoing fears from American and European generals that Britain is "no longer a top-level fighting force", according to an investigation in The Times.

Defence minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin said: "The world is facing a security outlook with greater risks than at any time since the end of the Second World War.

"Are you a private individual? Have you considered whether you have time to join a voluntary defence organisation? If not: get moving!"

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Richard Windsor is a freelance writer for The Week Digital. He began his journalism career writing about politics and sport while studying at the University of Southampton. He then worked across various football publications before specialising in cycling for almost nine years, covering major races including the Tour de France and interviewing some of the sport’s top riders. He led Cycling Weekly’s digital platforms as editor for seven of those years, helping to transform the publication into the UK’s largest cycling website. He now works as a freelance writer, editor and consultant.