The United Kingdom (UK) has around 77,000 former troops liable for call-out in case of emergencies, British media reported on Saturday (Apr 20). A report by Express said that in a recent parliamentary written question, former defence secretary Ben Wallace sought information from the current Secretary of State for Defence over the number of former regular army members with regular reserve call-out liability as of April 1 this year.
It was revealed that the country has around 55,000 former regular army members liable for recall under the Reserve Forces Act, of 1996. As of January 1 2024, there were 22,676 Army Regular Reservists with recall liability under Section 22 of the act, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Ministry of Defence Andrew Murrison said.
Also, around 55,000 former regular personnel, as of March, were eligible for recall under Section 68 of the act, the report added.
Why the need for callout?
The report further said that amid an increase in global conflicts (for example the Russia-Ukraine war and the Gaza war), British military leaders have been openly talking about the necessity of greatly growing if a third world war were to happen.
In January, Defence Minister Grant Shapps said that the year 2024 must mark an “inflection point” to decide the future of British defence.
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“In five years’ time, we could be looking at multiple theatres including Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. Ask yourself … is it more likely that that number grows or reduces? I suspect we all know the answer. It’s likely to grow,” Shapps said on January 15.
Shapps added that the government was spending more money in cash terms on defence than it ever had, adding the government was increasing funds for modernising its nuclear deterrent and replenishing stocks and should continue to do so.
(With inputs from agencies)
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