British Army Chief Calls for National Preparedness as Europe Faces Threat of Major Conflict
In a recent speech, the head of the British Army, Gen Sir Patrick Sanders, issued a national call for preparedness as Europe faces the threat of a major conflict. He is not alone in his concerns, as other senior military officials, including Adm Rob Bauer, who heads NATO’s military committee, have also warned of the need to be on alert and expect the unexpected. The UK’s defense secretary, Grant Shapps, has similarly emphasized the importance of being prepared for war, stating that the country is moving from a post-war to a pre-war world.
The common thread among these warnings is Russia. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia has raised alarm bells in the West, with military officials highlighting the significance of the situation. Gen Sanders stressed that Ukraine matters, as Russia’s ambitions extend beyond seizing territory and are aimed at defeating the system and way of life politically, psychologically, and symbolically.
While many politicians and the public may not fully grasp the threat, European nations closer to Russian borders appear to be taking it more seriously. Sweden, for example, has been vocal about the possibility of war on its soil. The country’s civil defense minister, Carl-Oskar Bohlin, urged the public to consider joining a voluntary defense organization and prepare themselves mentally. Some have criticized these remarks as alarmist, but others have responded by stockpiling food and fuel.
Several European countries already have conscription for their armed forces, including Sweden, Norway, and Finland. Conscription requires young men and women to serve for a limited time in uniform, providing them with military training that can be utilized in reserve units during times of war. Finland, in particular, with its 800-mile border with Russia, has extensive conscription and can muster one of Europe’s largest armies.
In the UK, however, conscription ended in 1960, and there are no plans to bring it back. Gen Sanders did not call for conscription in his speech but emphasized the need for a larger army and the addition of reserves. He proposed the concept of a citizen army, which would involve a mass mobilization of tens of thousands of people in the event of war. This would require planning and a change of mindset in the government, which currently does not seem keen on the idea.
Despite the lack of political support, the Army is already exploring the possibility of creating a citizens’ army. Training Ukrainian civilians on UK soil is being considered as a rehearsal for rapid Army expansion. However, this would require increased funding, and the government has yet to specify when it plans to allocate 2.5% of national income to defense spending.
Gen Sanders’ speech serves as a wake-up call for the nation, urging them to prepare for the possibility of a major conflict. However, without political backing, it is unlikely that the mindset of a country that does not feel like it is on the brink of war will change. There seems to be a generational divide between those who lived through the Cold War era and understand the existential threat it posed and those who did not. As Europe faces an uncertain future, it is crucial for leaders and citizens alike to take these warnings seriously and prioritize national preparedness.
