Ex-NATO chief says conscription of Brits needed to stop Putin from launching WW3

26 January 2024 , 13:14

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The ex-head of NATO thinks conscription is needed (Image: Getty Images)

The former head of Nato believes the only way to stop Vladimir Putin launching World War three is to "think the unthinkable" and consider bringing back conscription.

Earlier this week the head of the UK Army, General Sir Patrick Sanders, said Britain should lay the foundations for a voluntary call-up if a war broke out and train a "citizen army" ready to fight. But now General Sir Richard Shirreff, who was a NATO chief between 2011 and 2014, says a voluntary system would not be enough.

In a letter to The Times, General Sir Richard argued it is now time to look at conscription in order to beef up the British Army. He wrote: "Although the reserve army can go some way to reinforcing the regulars, now is the time to think the unthinkable and look carefully at conscription. To most professional soldiers (myself included), conscription is anathema. However, if deterrence is to be effective, Russia deterred and catastrophe averted, it might be necessary."

In his letter, General Sir Richard also questioned whether the Ministry of Defence is prepared for a war of a "scale and ferocity that would engulf the UK" if NATO had to leap at the defence of a fellow member under attack in accordance to its principle of collective defence.

Vladimir Putin (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The earlier warning from General Sir Patrick, issued during a speech at an armoured vehicle conference, sent shockwaves through the country, sparking a widespread discussion on what a mass mobilisation would mean to everyday Brits. The outgoing Chief of the General Staff added: "We will not be immune and as the pre-war generation we must similarly prepare - and that is a whole-of-nation undertaking. Ukraine brutally illustrates that regular armies start wars; citizen armies win them."

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Downing Street and the MoD said there was "absolutely no suggestion of a return to conscription". UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak 's spokesman said hypothetical scenarios of a future potential conflict were not helpful.

Kelly-Ann Mills