Overview
- Defence analysts, including former Army officer Dr Mike Martin, argue a major war with Russia would likely require conscription because current manpower is insufficient.
- If a draft were introduced, likely priorities cited are men aged 18–25, single people without children, women for support roles and possibly combat, former soldiers and reservists, and older age bands if fighting persists.
- The Ministry of Defence says there are no plans for conscription and will launch a 150-place military gap-year pilot for under‑25s in March 2026.
- Warnings reflect low force levels, with 73,847 trained regulars recorded in January 2025 and about 74,300 full‑time soldiers plus 4,200 Gurkhas reported recently.
- Across Europe many countries already run conscription or national service, even as UK political leaders publicly downplay mandatory call‑ups.