Veterans aged 65 told to prepare for war
Yahoo • • world
Key Points:
- The UK Government plans to raise the age limit for mobilising military veterans in the strategic reserve from 55 to 65 under a new Armed Forces bill, enabling easier deployment of tens of thousands of former personnel amid rising war risks.
- The threshold for calling up the strategic reserve will be lowered from “national danger or attack” to “warlike preparations,” reflecting concerns over potential conflict with Russia and the need for increased military readiness.
- The British Army has shrunk to its smallest size in over 200 years, with just over 70,000 full-time troops, while the strategic reserve includes about 95,000 veterans, highlighting recruitment and retention challenges.
- The Ministry of Defence faces a £28 billion funding shortfall
