Veterans aged 65 told to prepare for war in new UK army measures

The changes will be in effect from spring of next year

The maximum age at which veterans can be recalled will be raised from 55 to 65 by the Armed Forces Bill under the current policy, which will make mobilisation in a crisis easier.

This is designed to increase the size of the “strategic reserve”, which consists of the “ex-regular reserve”.

These are former service personnel who are still liable for military service - and a wider “recall reserve” that can be mobilised in cases of emergency.

As part of the strategic reserve, around 95,000 individuals are currently estimated to be liable for recall as part of the strategic reserve.

However, the Ministry of Defence does not publish data on the recall reserve.

According to Lieutenant General Paul Griffiths, the commander of the Standing Joint Command tasked with ensuring the UK is ready for combat, the reforms to the strategic reserve would allow the armed forces to mobilise the “wealth of expertise” of veterans “when it matters most”.

He added that “as the threat to our nation grows, we must ensure our armed forces can draw on the numbers and skills required to meet it”.

“I fully support these measures, which will give us the widest possible pool of experienced personnel to call upon in times of crisis”, Griffiths added.

Legislation was introduced to the Commons last week, under which reservists can be recalled for “warlike preparations”.

This is a lower threshold for mobilisation than the current one of a “national danger, great emergency or attack on the UK”.

These changes will be in effect from spring 2027, however, and unless they opt in, they will not apply to those who have already left the military.

Amid growing threats, especially from Russia, the Ministry of Defence has said that the bill, which aims to boost UK’s military capabilities, mirrored the “innovative” use of reserves by Ukraine in the face of the Russian invasion.