(TheRedAlertNews.com) – A number of Western nations and key US allies such as Britain and Germany are now considering resorting to conscription as their military recruitment numbers are dropping swiftly, with the UK in particular seeing its army dwindling to its smallest in 200 years.
The British Army’s decline is attributed to the ongoing issue of more personnel leaving the forces than joining.
This situation is not unique to the United Kingdom, Breitbart News points out in a report.
Germany, another key US ally in the NATO alliance, is also experiencing a severe military recruitment crisis, prompting its defense minister to consider reinstating conscription.
In 2022, the total number of personnel in the British armed forces, encompassing all three services and reserves, diminished by 3.9% to 184,865. Of these, only 75,983 are regular soldiers.
The past year saw 16,260 individuals exit the armed forces, resulting in a net loss of 7,440 personnel after accounting for new recruitment.
An analysis by the Daily Telegraph indicates that the British Army’s current size is the smallest it has been in 200 years, a notable fact considering Britain’s population has grown from just over 20 million in 1820 to nearly 70 million today.
Factors contributing to this decline in recruitment and retention include diminishing pay, deteriorating conditions, and a loss of traditions over recent decades.
Germany, facing similar challenges, is exploring various solutions to bolster its armed forces, which currently lack adequate manpower and capabilities.
In an interview with Die Welt, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated that the government is considering various measures to prevent the military’s collapse due to a shortage of soldiers.
When asked about the possibility of reintroducing compulsory service, Pistorius mentioned, “all options” are being considered and labeled the 2011 suspension of conscription a “mistake”.
Although conscription is still legally permissible under the German constitution, Pistorius acknowledged the political challenges of reinstating it and the necessity of widespread political support for such a move.
He is also examining other models, such as Sweden’s, where conscription is selective.
Pistorius also highlighted concerns about the potential shift in focus of the United States from Europe to the Asia-Pacific region.
He expressed awareness that Europe might need to compensate for military support that may no longer be provided by Washington.
This includes ramping up defense industry capacity over the next five to eight years, especially in light of Russia’s significant increase in arms production.
