UK Military Faces Crisis as Army Could Be Depleted in a Year of Major Conflict

Defence experts warn of insufficient troop numbers and call for urgent expansion of reserve forces to address growing global threats.

Veterans Minister Alistair Carns warns that the British Army could be wiped out within six to twelve months in a large-scale war due to current troop levels and casualty rates seen in conflicts like Ukraine.
The size of the British Army has dropped to 72,510 personnel, its smallest since the Napoleonic era, with projections suggesting it will fall below 70,000 next year.
Calls for revitalizing and expanding the reserve forces are growing, as reserves are seen as critical to generating the manpower needed for sustained military engagements.
The UK has struggled with recruitment and retention, with low morale and outdated systems hindering efforts to bolster both regular and reserve forces.
Defence leaders emphasize the need for increased military spending, modernized logistics, and a larger, more capable force to meet NATO commitments and deter threats from nations like Russia and China.