Amid conflicts in Europe and the Middle East
The government is set to raise the age which the army’s strategic reserve, the nation’s pool of retired soldiers, can be called upon from 55 to 65.
The new measures, which will make it easier to mobilise tens of thousands of former military personnel, are being introduced as part of a new bill which will be published in Parliament.
They are being introduced as part of a new Armed Forces bill which will make mobilisation easier if World War 3 breaks out.
The Army, with just over 70,000 full-time, fully-trained troops ready to deploy to the frontline, has shrunk to its smallest number in more than 200 years.
It is causing concern among experts, amid soaring tensions as war rages in Europe and the Middle East.
However, the new changes will see it lowered to “warlike preparations”, which is already the threshold for reservists who have recently left the Armed Forces.
Across the three wings of the Armed Forces, there are currently almost 32,000 active reservists. The pool of retired soldiers can be called upon in case of “national danger, great emergency or attack in the UK”, under existing rules.
Those who have already left the military will not be affected unless they opt in, as the changes will take effect in the spring of 2027.
As part of the strategic reserve, about 95,000 people are estimated to be liable for recall, however the Ministry of Defence does not publish statistics on the recall reserve.
Fears are growing that ongoing Russian aggression could spark major conflict across Europe, alongside conflict in the Middle East after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran.
Government strategy has claimed that the UK must “actively prepare” for war on homeland territory, as The National Strategic Strategy highlights Russia and Iran as threats to UK security.
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