Overview
- RUSI, a leading defence think tank, is pressing the government to expand recruitment now and says Britain may need to double its land forces to deter or respond to Russia.
- The report calls for a peacetime blueprint for wartime mobilisation that sets clear roles for veterans and reservists who could be recalled quickly.
- Analysts warn the UK’s single-centre call-up and training model would choke under a surge of recruits and say the Army must first build capacity to absorb more people.
- RUSI recommends piloting small-scale selective conscription, citing France’s approach as a test case, while judging full conscription unrealistic for society and the forces at present.
- The Ministry of Defence counters that recruitment declines are reversing and points to pay rises, better housing, faster rejoin processes, and a major defence review with long-term funding.