Former Troops Call-Out Liability in the UK
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.
Number of Former Troops Liable for Call-Out
The United Kingdom (UK) has around 77,000 former troops liable for call-out in case of emergencies, as reported by British media. The report highlighted that there are approximately 55,000 former regular army members liable for recall under the Reserve Forces Act of 1996.
Recall Liability Details
As of January 1, 2024, there were 22,676 Army Regular Reservists with recall liability under Section 22 of the act, according to Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Ministry of Defence Andrew Murrison. Additionally, around 55,000 former regular personnel were eligible for recall under Section 68 of the act as of March.
Need for Call-Out
Amid an increase in global conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the Gaza war, British military leaders have emphasized the importance of being prepared for potential future conflicts. Defence Minister Grant Shapps highlighted the necessity of significant growth in the military in case of a third world war.
Shapps mentioned that the government is investing more in defence than ever before, focusing on modernizing the nuclear deterrent and replenishing stocks to enhance national security.
