A former NATO chief who led Britain’s defense review now advocates bringing back mandatory national service, warning that the country faces growing threats from Russia and Iran that require an all-hands-on-deck approach to national security.
Swedish-Style Defense Model Proposed
Lord Robertson, a Labour peer and former defense secretary, testified before Parliament’s joint committee on National Security Strategy that Britain should adopt a Swedish-style system of national service. Under this model, every resident aged 16 to 70 would have a legally defined role in civil resilience during wartime. This could include military conscription or civil duties such as maintaining critical infrastructure and rescue services. Robertson acknowledged the proposal might clash with British traditions but argued the severity of current threats justifies reconsidering past approaches to national defense.
Bring national service back to Britain, former Nato chief tells Starmer in defence review
Former Nato chief Lord Robertson, who wrote Labour’s strategic defence review, has called for national service to be put back on the agenda to protect the UK from Russia and Iran.
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— Grifty (@TheGriftReport) April 28, 2026
Britain abolished mandatory national service in 1960 after implementing it in 1949. That system required all physically fit men between 17 and 21 to serve 18 months in the armed forces. Several European nations have recently revived or maintained conscription models. Finland continues military conscription, and Germany’s parliament voted to introduce voluntary military service following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Defense Spending Delays Draw Criticism
Robertson’s testimony comes as the Labour government faces mounting pressure over delayed defense planning. Defense Secretary John Healey promised to release a ten-year Defense Investment Plan last autumn, but the document remains unpublished with release now expected this summer. Last week, a House of Lords committee chaired by Robertson urged the government to establish a clear pathway to spending 5 percent of GDP on defense, accusing officials of “corrosive complacency” on defense spending.
Hidden Threats Already Targeting Britain
Robertson called for a national conversation to raise awareness about ongoing hostile actions from Russia and Iran. He warned that many Britons believe they remain safe while cyber-attacks, sabotage, disinformation campaigns, espionage, and attacks on undersea cables occur regularly. Robertson drew parallels to the 1930s when Britain failed to prepare adequately until crisis arrived, cautioning against waiting for an actual attack before addressing current threats. The proposed defense readiness bill, which Robertson’s review promoted as crucial, will not appear in the upcoming King’s Speech according to his testimony.
