Army Chief Waqar Orders Soldiers to Prepare for War

International Desk

The UK’s army chief, General Sir Rowley Walker, has said the country’s political leaders will soon begin “direct discussions” with the public about the risks of war. He said every citizen must make sacrifices and play a role in defending the country.

Speaking to about 700 soldiers at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire, he said the country would need soldiers now. “You didn’t know it, but the nation will need you,” he told the soldiers. He also reminded them that the least experienced and youngest soldiers in the ground forces would be the ones most stressed in a war.

Preparing against whom?

General Walker did not name any specific country in his speech. He did not announce any mandatory military conscription or immediate mobilization of civilians. However, observers see the context of the speech as a reference to Russia.

This week, MI5 chief Sir Ken McCallum called Russia “the number one aggressor.” He added that more than 50 people have been arrested in the UK over the past year on suspicion of plotting Iran-related sabotage.

Questions of finance and public involvement

According to the army chief, it is the job of politicians to convince the people to make sacrifices. How to raise the defense budget is now a big problem for the government. The cabinet is under pressure to meet a deficit of about 5 billion pounds in the defense sector.

Defense Minister advises on emergency preparedness

Defense Minister Wes Streeting has advised ordinary families to keep some cash, bottled water and canned food at home in case of an emergency or war.

Andy Burnham has inherited Sir Keir Starmer’s promise to start a debate on national defence, following the launch of a parliamentary inquiry in July into how well civilians are prepared for war and whether essential infrastructure and public services can survive an attack.

Such warnings about war preparations are not limited to the UK. France’s new army chief, General Fabien Mandon, warned last year that France must be prepared to “lose children” in a possible war with Russia, sparking sharp divisions in the country’s political circles.