Politics · United Kingdom · 18 hrs ago
British Army proposes recruiting 10,000 more soldiers over three years
British Army chiefs propose recruiting 10,000 more soldiers over three years, at a cost of £800 million.
The Army has around 75,000 soldiers, and about 8,000 are said to be unable to fight for medical reasons.
The plans also include new equipment, including weapons and body armour.
The proposals follow a warning from Defence Secretary Wes Streeting that the UK must be ready to fight in a little over 1,000 days amid growing threats from Russia to Nato allies.
Army chiefs are expected to seek formal government approval in the New Year, so the plans have not yet been approved.
The Government faces pressure to raise defence spending to 3% of GDP by 2030, while the Army is reportedly rejecting 200 applicants a day, many on medical grounds.
Military chiefs want to recruit 10,000 more British Army soldiers over three years, according to a report.
The proposal would cost £800 million and would also include new equipment such as weapons and body armour.
Sources said the proposals would be submitted to the Government for formal approval in the New Year.
The plans emerged after Defence Secretary Wes Streeting warned that the UK had to be ready to fight in a little over 1,000 days.
The Army has around 75,000 soldiers, of whom about 8,000 are said to be unable to fight on medical grounds.
- Who
- British Army military chiefs are proposing the recruitment increase.
- What
- Recruiting 10,000 more soldiers over three years, alongside buying new equipment.
- When
- The proposals are expected to go to the Government for formal approval in the New Year.
- Where
- United Kingdom.
- Why
- The plans come amid warnings about threats from Russia to Nato allies and the need for the UK to be ready to fight.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Budget did not set out how defence spending would rise to the promised 3 per cent of GDP by 2030.
Wes Streeting warned that the UK had to be ready to fight in a little over 1,000 days.
The proposed recruitment of 10,000 more soldiers was reported.
Sources said the proposals would be put to the Government for formal approval.
- Proposed recruitment
- 10,000 more soldiers
- Recruitment period
- Three years
- Estimated cost
- £800 million
- Current Army size
- Around 75,000 soldiers
- Unable to fight on medical grounds
- About 8,000 soldiers
1 source
What people are saying
The minimum we will need is another 10,000 soldiers.
in a little over 1,000 days