Military leaders have urged the UK government to seriously consider introducing conscription as tensions with Russia continue to escalate.

Former NATO officials have cautioned that Britain needs to "wake up" and ensure thousands of troops are trained and ready for deployment, particularly in light of Donald Trump's recent comments suggesting the US may reduce its security commitments to Europe. European nations are scrambling to bolster NATO defenses across the Baltics, fearing a potential Russian invasion could occur within the next few years, The Sun reports.

Countries like Poland and Latvia have already reinstated conscription as a precautionary measure. However, the UK government remains opposed to the idea. Despite ongoing discussions about British troops in Ukraine and Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s diplomatic efforts for peace, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFaddon has dismissed conscription, stating it is “not on the table.”

Military analysts warn that this stance could prove disastrous. Sir Richard Shirreff, former NATO Deputy Supreme Allied Commander, stressed that Britain must act now to implement conscription or risk being unable to counter Russian aggression. He warned that European defenses must be strengthened urgently, especially if the US withdraws from NATO.

With over a million Russian troops on standby, the UK’s current military force is significantly outmatched. Colonel Hamish De Bretton Gordon has cautioned that Britain must be ready to introduce conscription if the conflict escalates, or risk surrendering to Putin.

He stated: “The UK must explore all options. Right now, we are not equipped to fight a large-scale ground war. If we do not consider conscription, our only alternative may be surrender—something no one in Britain would accept, especially against Putin.”

The British Army now has just 70,000 active personnel—the smallest force since the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. De Bretton Gordon emphasized the need for modernization, including improved military equipment, sufficient ammunition supplies, and enhanced training programs. He acknowledged that conscription could place a significant burden on the regular military but insisted the country must be prepared for the possibility.

Sir Shirreff added that the UK must "think the unthinkable" and take proactive measures to prevent a crisis. He suggested the government explore “selective conscription” as a means of increasing military readiness.

"The government must leave all options open. With only 70,000 troops, Britain cannot effectively deter Russia or sustain long-term military operations. Strengthening alliances and expanding our forces are crucial, but we must also consider selective conscription to build up our own army,” he explained.

“If we fail to plan for this now, we could face devastating consequences.”