If the UK were to introduce conscription during a major conflict, Army Reservists and Regular Reservists would be called up before any other group, according to a retired senior British Army officer. Lord Dannatt told the Express: "I would expect to see the Army Reserve mobilised first, then Regular Reservists recalled to active service and then His Majesty's Government would need to consider conscription, starting with 18-24-year-olds."
WW2 Model for Full Conscription
Emeritus professor at the University of Buckingham, Anthony Glees, said full conscription would likely follow the model used during WW2. "This would mean that all males from 18-41 would have to do military or national service," Prof. Glees explained. "This was decided in September 1939 when the UK declared war on Germany but before serious fighting had started, the so-called 'Phoney War' period. Previously, prior to the declaration of war in May 1939, all males aged 20-22 were required to do national service. In 1941, the age range was extended by ten years, so 18-51 and unmarried women were also required to do some kind of national service."
Growing threats from Russia and China, alongside NATO's Article 5 mandate that an attack on one member is an attack on all, have put Britain on high alert for a large-scale war.
Learning from Ukraine
Prof. Glees thinks it's now time for the Government to start introducing the idea of conscripted national service, and the solution may be found in Ukraine. "We need a nation that is fighting fit and ready to fight but that doesn't necessarily mean 'with guns and bombs and bullets', it could mean using laptops and smartphones to push Russia back into its box," he said.
"We all agree we are already in a 'grey-war' situation in respect of Russia and that puts us in the 'Phoney War' context, in my opinion. Nothing would terrify that little coward in the Kremlin more than to see that the UK were taking the first measures to prepare for any tricks he may well have up his sleeve, especially now when Trump seems determined to let him have a win in Ukraine.
"We need to learn from that amazing country. When it was attacked, it introduced conscription for all males in the 25-60 year old category. Ukraine, with a population just a little more than half the UK's population, has armed forces of 900,000 men with a further four million in the reserve.
"That's how you give Putin the bloody body blows we've seen having to take since 2022. If we do not want to fight Russia, and no sane person does, the only way of deterring him is by getting ready to fight him."
Volunteers and Inducements
However, the expert stressed not all draftees would fight on the front line, as many "could do useful defence work from their laptops." "We're told by IPSOS that just 11% of 18-27 year olds say they are prepared to fight for their country," Prof. Glees said. "But that's not bad, it's 154,000 brave young men. They would more than double the size of our army.
"I believe it would be right to encourage all 18-19 year olds to see national service as a worthwhile measure to keep us safe and above all deter evil Putin. I would offer all those who volunteered inducements, such as release from student loan debts, assistance with study costs, even preferential housing. In WW2, soldiers were offered the prospect of 'homes for heroes' and a National Health Service. It was well worth fighting for these benefits. We need to do the same now."
In December 2025, Starmer's Government agreed to increase the number of young people going into our armed forces, aware of the fact that the UK has more traffic enforcement officers (82,000) than soldiers (74,000, although our armed forces in total consist of 136,000 personnel. However, that measure was dismissed as 'baby steps'.
RUSI Warning on Mobilisation
The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) suggests that reservists and former armed forces members would be first in line for a recall. But it adds that there is a real problem tracking and contacting ex-military people, and various other issues with mass mobilisation.
A research paper stated: "With Russian military expansion and modernisation, and a growing rift between the US and European members of NATO, the risk of protracted conflict in Europe has grown. To deter such a conflict, or deal with the risk if deterrence fails, the UK’s armed forces must be ready to mobilise and expand." It added: "Policymakers and the public should be disabused of the idea that the UK’s armed forces do not need to field a large force to match a potential enemy or adversary, nor that the UK can get away with leaving detailed planning until the event itself. The latest UK government’s Strategic Defence Review has already implied greater mobilisation through its framing of the Russian threat, its commitment to the British Army providing a Corps to NATO, and the need to make use of the Strategic Reserve."
So far, the Government has ruled out conscription or mandatory military service. In September, Defence Minister Lord Coaker said: "Since 1963, it has been the policy of successive Governments that the best way of providing for the defence of our country is by maintaining professional Armed Forces which are manned by volunteers." The Government is focusing instead on voluntary schemes intended to give younger people experience of military life without joining the regular Armed Forces. Lord Coaker added: "Through this combination of military experience, engagement, education, skills development and voluntary service opportunities, defence is already helping more young people understand the role of the Armed Forces, experience Service life, develop valuable skills, and explore opportunities to contribute to national security and public service."
