Bring back national service to protect UK from Russia and Iran, ex-Nato chief says

A top government advisor has hinted that the UK should bring back a mandatory national service.

Lord George Robertson, a former Nato secretary general, urged the British government to consider a Swedish-style model with roles for residents of all ages to boost civilian resilience.

Lord George, who served as the Labour defence secretary and author of the Strategic Defence Review, has previously criticised the government for being ‘underprepared’ for a possible attack.

Now the key adviser has argued that there is a case for following in the footsteps of Sweden with mandatory civil defence roles.

The Scandinavian country’s total defence duty requires people aged between 16-70 to serve and protect the population if a war or crisis breaks out.

When asked if the UK should have legally defined civil resilience roles for everyone like Sweden has during theNational Security Strategy committee yesterday, Lord George said: ‘I think there is a case for that. It might go against the grain in terms of the way in which we think of ourselves.

‘But I think given the nature of the threats that we now face, both in a civil as well as a military context, I think there would be a case for putting that forward.

‘We talk about a defence readiness bill in our review, which would involve society as a whole.

‘It appears it’s not going to be in the King’s speech next week or the week after next, which is a pity, because it’s a crucial part of part of what we promoted.

‘But I think ideas like that should certainly be on the agenda.’

Sweden’s total defence duty roles include military service for conscripts, civilian duties like rescue, childcare and healthcare, and general national service activities in the event of war.

It currently has a mandatory, gender-neutral conscription system reintroduced in 2017, ending the short-lived voluntary and professional-based military service introduced in 2010.

When did the UK have national service?

Britain brought in a national service in the aftermath of the Second World War.

The peacetime conscription, introduced in 1949, meant that all able-bodied men between 17 and 21 had to do it.

It lasted throughout the height of the Cold War until 1963, and saw over two million men serve in the British Army, Navy and the RAF.

Finland has conscription, but only for men over the age of 18. They have to choose between a civil or a military service. Refusal generally carries a prison sentence.

Germany voted last year to introduce voluntary military service due to the changing security situation in Europe. While the service is not mandatory, men over 18 have to complete an online questionnaire.

In Austria, men over 18 are required to complete six months of military service or nine months of civilian service under the conscription.

Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark released their new war pamphlets in 2024 after the escalation of the war in Ukraine and Russian threats.

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