British Military Chief Issues Warning: Urgent Need to Train Citizen Army

The UK's Army chief has called for the formation of a "citizen army" as a precautionary measure against future land wars, without advocating for mandatory conscription.

Highlighting the ever-present Russian threat, General Sir Patrick Sanders emphasized the necessity for an expanded and modernized military, proposing a potential British Army size of 120,000, merging regular and reserve forces.

Despite the highest recruitment interest in six years, the Army has significantly shrunk over the past decades. He expressed urgency for a national effort in preparing for potential conflicts, similar to actions seen in Sweden and Finland.

Meanwhile, NATO leaders are also preparing for conflict possibilities, prompting unease among politicians. The UK government dismisses the need for conscription and considers hypothetical war scenarios unproductive.

MPs have voiced concerns about the Prime Minister's awareness of the Russian threat, given his lack of Cold War experience. General Sanders, due to be replaced by General Sir Roly Walker in June, consistently criticizes defense cuts, echoing former Army chiefs who warn against underfunding the military.