The outgoing Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Patrick Sanders, stated that Britain needs to train and equip its citizens to be ready for war with Russia, while Sweden has warned its citizens to prepare for a potential conflict with Moscow. He cautioned that simply increasing reserve forces "will not be enough" to engage in a land war with Russia, as reported by the BBC and published by Fox News.
He emphasized that the increase in troops for a potential conflict must be "a project that involves the whole nation." Sanders discussed the necessity for the UK to maintain its army and pointed to the threat faced by other countries closer to Russia as Moscow continues its war with Ukraine.
In remarks made at the International Armored Vehicles Conference in London, he remarked, "Our friends in Eastern and Northern Europe, who feel the Russian threat more acutely, are indeed acting wisely by laying the groundwork for national mobilization." He added, "Just last week, the NATO military committee warned, and as the Swedish government did, that taking preparatory steps to enable our societies to be in a state of war when needed is no longer merely desirable but has become necessary."
He stated that the British Army needs to grow to 120,000 soldiers within three years, up from the current 74,000. However, Sanders noted that this is not enough, adding that Britain must train and equip "citizens."
