EXCLUSIVE: An expert has suggested older people will have expertise that could be used effectively.
The UK could see older people called up to serve, an expert has suggested (Image: Getty)
People in their early 60s could be called to serve in the Armed Forces if the UK becomes involved in a large-scale war, a military expert has suggested. Commodore (Ret’d) Steve Prest, a RUSI Associate Fellow, suggested that the UK is closer to a conflict with Russia than at any point since the height of the Cold War. He told the Express when asked if people who had been in the RAF, Royal Navy or the British Army who were now retirement age or older could be called up in the event of a war: “What do you mean by ‘retirement age’? State Pension age? Probably not.
“If you mean people in their 50s, maybe in their early 60s.” Some individuals in their sixth decade are “absolutely cracking”, Commodore Prest said, “sharp as a tack” and still “physically fit”, and so could be put to good use. “I mean, yeah, they’re not going to be doing 40-mile hikes with, you know, 100 kilos of kits on their back.
“But, yeah, that’s probably not what we want them for.” He added: “There’s loads of stuff that needs to be done. I mean, modern warfare is not all about infantry fighting.”
Older people could contribute towards logistics, communications, cyber and space activities, the former military man suggested. He added: “I mean, I’m not sure about putting people up as astronauts, but, you know, building and managing of satellites and the communication ground segments […] Could have physically fit 62-year-old, do that sort of work? Yep. Why not?”
Commodore Prest was also asked if he foresaw the UK introducing conscription in the event of a major conflict. He said: “Do we mean general conscription in that we’re going around schools and colleges and pubs hoovering up young people, who have never had any previous contact with the military, I think that’s highly improbable.”
But he added that people such as himself, who have served, could be “called upon” — “invited, more or less mandatorily”. Former soldier and Conservative minister, Tobias Ellwood, reiterated that he has called for conscription in the UK, “but not in the dated image of Dad’s Army”, rather “copying the Finnish model that strengthens homeland resiliance”.
Finnish men have to serve in the Armed Forces (Image: Getty)
Military service is mandatory for all Finnish men from the age of 18 for up to 347 days. When asked if people in their 60s or above the State Pension age be called upon in the event of a conflict, Mr Ellwood said: “Everyone has a role to play across the full spectrum of conflict. Not just land sea and air.”
He added: “Putin has already begun a grey zone war against us. Not a day goes by when we are not subject to Russian cyber attacks, coercion, and disinformation campaigns designed to spread societal discord and cause economic harm.”