The Ministry of Defence has reportedly lost track of a significant portion of Britain’s strategic military reserve force, raising new concerns about the country’s readiness for a national emergency.
The warning was issued by Lord George Robertson, the former Labour defence secretary and ex-NATO secretary general.
He claimed that the department no longer knows the whereabouts of most of the estimated 95,000 former service personnel and recall reservists who constitute the UK’s strategic reserve.
This reserve force is considered a vital part of Britain’s defence capability and includes ex-service personnel who are legally liable for recall and periodic training if the need arises. At an event in Salisbury, Lord Robertson stated, “We need to sort of round up those who are available, fit, and willing to be able to do it.”
Lord Robertson’s comments come amid broader concerns regarding the state of UK defence preparedness and funding. Earlier this week, he warned that Britain is underprepared for modern conflict and faces challenging decisions about military spending, the Express reported.
He also argued that defence requirements risk being hampered by what he described as an “ever-expanding welfare budget,” reigniting an ongoing debate about fiscal priorities within the government.
The strategic reserve is believed to comprise approximately 95,000 individuals, including regular reservists and former service personnel who remain on the recall system.
The Ministry of Defence maintains contact with ex-servicemen and women for up to six years after they leave the armed forces through annual correspondence. However, according to a report in The Guardian, records for a larger group of former personnel are not routinely updated beyond that period.
This lack of up-to-date information raises concerns that the department may not have accurate data on many individuals who could be called up in a crisis. Defence sources have long acknowledged the challenges of maintaining engagement with veterans after they leave service, particularly as careers, relocations, and civilian employment complicate tracking over time.
These claims are likely to intensify scrutiny of Britain’s mobilisation readiness amid heightened geopolitical tension, with ministers already under pressure over defence funding commitments and long-term force planning. The Ministry of Defence has yet to publicly respond to Lord Robertson’s remarks.
An MoD spokesperson told the paper: “We recognise the importance of the strategic reserve, which is why we are delivering on the Strategic Defence Review through our Armed Forces Bill.
“The Bill will expand our pool of reserves by increasing the maximum age limit for recall, enable seamless transfer between regular and reserve forces and give the defence secretary power to authorise recall for warlike operations.
We are also constantly improving our data and communicating with our strategic reserve community to mobilise talent rapidly when it matters most.
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