The UK plans to conduct military training of the civilian population
25 January, 2024 Quarter of British military. Photo credits: MoD UK Accoeding to Politico, the United Kingdom is considering the possibility of military training for the civilian population.
The statement was voiced by British General Patrick Sanders. Gen. Sanders stressed the need for a 'shift' in the minds of the British public to understand that the UK is under threat.
This suggestion was put forward during his visit to the International Armoured Vehicles exhibition in London, where he advocated for a more realistic understanding of the current state of affairs.
Cadets of the British Army during shooting. Photo: MoD UK
Although he does not support conscription, Sanders stressed that in the event of a war with Russia, every Briton should understand military affairs and have basic skills in handling weapons. Training of the civilian population will not be regular and may take place once a Sunday.
The general came up with the idea of creating a "citizen army" after the cuts announced by the Ministry of Defense began.
"Within the next three years, it must be credible to talk of a British Army of 120,000, folding in our reserve and strategic reserve. But this is not enough," he said.
Despite the reality of the threat, the government of the United Kingdom directly ignores external threats and does not respond to the remarks of British generals.
British Army General Patrick Sanders. Photo from the network
Due to the weak support of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister's spokesman did not give General Sanders due attention and said that consideration of 'hypothetical scenarios' was not helpful for the country.
In addition to the United Kingdom, the countries of continental Europe are already taking more radical measures to ensure a greater number of military personnel and the return of conscription. The Ministry of Defense of Croatia appealed to the country's government with a proposal to return military training to general educational institutions, as well as return to military conscription. Militarnyi previously reported that Germany was debating reintroducing military conscription.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius urged Europe to take seriously the Russian threats to Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, and the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
In addition, the return of military conscription is being considered in Serbia.
Defense Minister Milos Vucevic said that the General Staff had submitted an initiative to the President of Serbia, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to revoke the decision to suspend compulsory military service based on an assessment of the security situation.