Overview
- An EU briefing details three models used in Europe for compulsory service: universal intake, lottery selection, and selective compulsory enlistment.
- The EU paper highlights key decision factors for any draft, including threat perception, alliance commitments, economic trade‑offs, public opinion, and the role of advanced technology.
- Defence Secretary John Healey told Norwegian conscripts he was interested in their competitive national service model during a February visit.
- The British Government said last year it was not considering conscription, and the UK military remains an all‑volunteer force.
- A new Civitas report by cross‑party MPs and a former senior NATO adviser urges war readiness as reliance on US guarantees under President Donald Trump is questioned and the Army stands at about 70,000 troops.