Many European countries, including France and Germany, have implemented measures to strengthen reserve forces to respond to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as well as to the US request that Europe should shoulder more responsibility for ensuring its own security.
On January 15, Britain also said it would lower the threshold for summoning former soldiers, extending it to cases related to preparations for a war situation.
Currently, former soldiers in the UK can only be summoned in situations identified as "national danger, serious emergency or when the United Kingdom is attacked".
These reforms will allow us to quickly mobilize experienced human resources at the most important time, thereby enhancing combat readiness and being consistent with the similar approach that many NATO forces are adopting," said General Paul Griffiths, who is leading this UK reform effort.
The UK raising the retirement age of reserve forces to 65 is expected to officially take effect from the spring of 2027.
