UK military could face significant losses in a major conflict within half a year, according to government official.

During a recent speech at a defence think tank in London, veterans minister Al Carns emphasised the crucial role that reserve forces play in the UK's defence. He warned that in a major war, it would only take six months for enemy soldiers to completely destroy the entire British Army. This sobering fact highlights the urgent need to rebuild and strengthen our reserve forces, especially in light of recent events in Ukraine following Russia's invasion.

Carns, who is also a reservist in the Royal Marines, stressed the importance of being able to rapidly generate depth and mass in the event of a crisis. He cited the staggering losses suffered by Russia, with an estimated 1,500 soldiers killed or injured every day. As a result, he believes that in a war of scale, similar to what is currently happening in Ukraine, our army would be depleted within six months to a year, if not for the support of a broader multinational coalition.

However, Carns was quick to point out that this does not mean we need a bigger army. Instead, he believes that the reserves are absolutely critical to our ability to respond effectively in such a situation. Without them, we would be unable to generate the necessary mass and meet the numerous defence tasks that may arise.

Currently, official figures show that there are 109,245 personnel serving in the British Army, including 25,814 volunteer reservists. And Carns, who also serves as an MP, is one of them. He understands firsthand the importance of reserve forces and is determined to ensure their continued support and development.

This sentiment is echoed by Defence Secretary John Healey, who recently stated that the armed forces are not yet ready to "fight", despite their high level of skill and readiness for military operations. He emphasised the need to not only defend our Nato nations, but also to provide a strong deterrent against future aggression. Healey believes that this can be achieved through innovation and incorporating new technologies and lessons learned from conflicts like Ukraine.

In conclusion, it is clear that reserve forces play a critical role in the UK's defence strategy. It is imperative that we continue to strengthen and support them, as they are vital in maintaining our ability to respond to potential crises and protect our nation.

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