British army commanders plan the largest mass mobilisation of reserve soldiers in 20 years. “This is the first major mobilisation exercise we have conducted since the Iraq war,” a source told the Daily Mail. Poland, as a country neighbouring both Ukraine and Russia, is also preparing its reserve base by training those most needed by the military because of their specific professions. 

Military commanders are planning the biggest mass mobilisation of Britain’s military reserve in 20 years to assess the „deployment readiness” of more than 10,000 so-called „weekend warriors”, the Daily Mail reports. 

Although there is no suggestion that the call-up of the „weekend warriors” is related to the war in Ukraine, the commander of the British army, General Sir Patrick Sanders, is very clear about the growing threat from Russia.

A senior source at Army headquarters in Andover told the Daily Mail the exercise would be aimed at testing how many people were willing to join the military.

“This is the first major mobilisation exercise we have conducted since the war in Iraq over 20 years ago. It is important to assess what the Army Reserve can provide if needed,” the source said.

“This does not mean we are going to war, this is an exercise, and if these men are drafted, the goal is that most of them will be asked to supplement the regular army soldiers so that they can be deployed,” the person added.

The size of the UK army was reduced a few years ago from 82,500 to 73,000 soldiers. It currently amounts to 75,170 soldiers and will be reduced again by 2025 as reported by the Daily Mail.

Many experts say the army is too small to conduct another Falklands War or a similar operation. The British army is currently in trouble to recruit enough men and women for the army.

Poland on “high alert”

In Poland, the army intends to prepare more “active reserve” soldiers. The head of the Ministry of National Defense, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, also announced that the number of people called for military training will be increased. In 2024 alone, up to 200,000 people are expected to receive the call.

In addition to those who received previous military training, people performing professions that are specifically useful in the army may also expect to be called for military training. Among them are cooks, doctors, drivers with specific licence categories, welders, translators and IT specialists. 

Failure to respond to a summons without a valid reason may result in a fine or arrest. However, a person who has been called up for military exercises is entitled to an unpaid leave for the duration of military exercises, as well as a basic salary, which depends on their work position and military rank.

These amounts range from a daily salary of PLN 130 for a private to PLN 615 for a general. In the event of the absence of an employee called for military exercises, the employer can count on state compensation.

Poland is now expected to employ some 180,000 soldiers including all branches of the military.

As both countries prepare for a possible military crisis leaders of Poland and the UK state that the relations between Warsaw and London are best in years, especially in the area of security policy.

Author: Tomasz Modrzejewski

Source: wnp.pl, Polsat News, Daily Mail Online

Photo: Sebastian Bona-Kuchejda/Pixabay