Sunak promised to restore military service for 18-year-olds

Rishi Sunak, the British prime minister, has announced plans to bring back compulsory national service for 18-year-olds, requiring them to serve in the army for 12 months or perform duty at the end of week. The Daily Mail writes about it on Sunday, May 26.

So, this is stated in the election plan presented by Chief Minister Rishi Sunak.

“This initiative is due to the fact that the British authorities are afraid of the growing threat from authoritarian states we are talking about Iran, China, North Korea and Russia,” the publication explained.

In particular, the head of the British government is proposing that after reaching the age of 18 and leaving school, young British people should serve a year in the Armed Forces, or 25 days of volunteering in their community, helping with fires, police or medical services.

Sunak said the “reimagined” scheme would “deliver life-changing opportunities for our youth”.

“As a father, I look forward to my two daughters doing their public service – I think they will see it as rewarding. There is more to being British than just waiting in line at passport control,” he says.

Sunak clarified that this initiative does not envisage the continuation of the universal conscription system that operated in Britain before 1960. A small part of the graduates will be selected for military service after a serious selection process.

The innovation could come into effect in September 2024 if the Conservative Party wins the elections.

Earlier, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Germany intended to modernize its army to be ready to fight a war.