Veterans Minister and Senior Military Officials Address RUSI’s Reserves Conference


RUSI hosted its Reserve Forces Conference, bringing together industry, military, academic and government stakeholders to examine the role which reserve force deployment could play in providing mass and capability to the UK’s Armed Forces.

The Conference included keynote remarks from Minister for Veterans, Alastair Carns MC MP, General Sir James Everard KCB CBE and General Sir James Hockenhull. Two panel sessions focused on the role of mass in modern war and the role of specialist capabilities.

Addressing the challenge of achieving mass in the UK Armed Forces, Minister Carns said:

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In a war of scale… our army… on the current casualty rates [in Ukraine] would be expended – as part of a broader multinational coalition – in six months to a year.

On implications for the UK’s Reserve Force, the Minister observed:

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That doesn’t mean we need a bigger army, but it does mean you need to generate depth and mass rapidly in the event of a crisis. The reserves are… absolutely central to that process. Without them, we cannot generate mass, we cannot meet the plethora of defence tasks.

Minister for Veterans, Alastair Carns MC MP

About RUSI

The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) is the world’s oldest and the UK’s leading defence and security think tank. Our mission is to inform, influence and enhance public debate to help build a safer and more stable world.

A unique institution, founded in 1831 by the Duke of Wellington, RUSI embodies nearly two centuries of forward thinking, free discussion, and careful reflection on international affairs and defence and security matters.

RUSI is a British institution but operates with an international perspective. Offices in Nairobi and Brussels reinforce our global reach. Over the years, we have amassed an outstanding reputation for quality and objectivity. Our heritage, location at the heart of Whitehall, and extensive networks inside and outside government, give RUSI a unique insight and authority.

You can find out more about our work and research here.



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