Western Defense Preparations: Germany Calls for National Mobilization, UK Advises Public Stockpiling

Germany: From Pacifism to Total National Defense

At a recent defense conference in Prague, German Federal Armed Forces Inspector Carsten Breuer issued a stark warning: “Without you, we soldiers are doomed to fail.” He emphasized that in the event of large-scale military conflict, reliance on active-duty forces alone would be insufficient—entire societal and industrial systems must be mobilized for defense.

Breuer’s remarks are not without foundation. In April 2026, Germany released its first formal military strategy since World War II—the General Concept for Military Defense (GKmv)—which explicitly identifies Russia as “the greatest direct threat to Germany, Europe, and transatlantic security in the foreseeable future.” The document forecasts that Russia could possess the capability to launch a major offensive against NATO territory by 2029.

The strategy sets ambitious expansion goals: by 2035, the Bundeswehr is to reach a total strength of 460,000 personnel (260,000 active, 200,000 reserve), with defense spending rising to 3.5% of GDP by 2029. To support this objective, Germany has been distributing mandatory conscription questionnaires to 18-year-olds since January 2026, while discussions continue over reinstating the compulsory military service system abolished in 2011.

Symbolically significant is the decision for approximately 4,800 soldiers from Germany’s 45th Panzer Brigade to be permanently stationed in Lithuania—a first in the history of the Bundeswehr since its founding in the 1950s, placing German combat units directly adjacent to the Belarusian border.

Britain: First Overhaul of “War Book” in Decades

Meanwhile, the UK government is accelerating the revision of its national-level emergency response plan—the so-called “War Book.” Last updated in 2004, the document is now being reassessed to address threats including Russian cyberattacks, infrastructure sabotage, and potential military strikes.

Environment Secretary Angela Eagle publicly urged citizens to stockpile canned food and bottled water to prepare for scenarios involving extreme weather, cyber disruptions, or attacks by hostile states that could lead to power and water outages. Official guidance recommends each household maintain at least three days’ worth of emergency supplies, including:

-- Drinking water: at least 2.5 to 3 liters per person per day

-- Ready-to-eat canned goods and other long-lasting food items, accompanied by manual can openers

-- Batteries, hand-crank flashlights, portable chargers, and hand-crank radios

-- First-aid kits and essential medications

A report by the UK National Audit Office noted that compared to Finland and Sweden, British households are significantly less prepared for emergencies, with food supply chains overly reliant on private-sector providers and vulnerable to disruption.

Insufficient Military Size: Calls to Reintroduce Conscription

Former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe and British Army General Sir Richard Shirreff stated plainly that the UK’s current active army force of around 70,000 personnel is “too small” to sustain credible deterrence against Russia over the long term. He urged the government to “not rule out any option,” including the reintroduction of selective conscription.

His assessment is grounded in data. As of January 2025, the UK’s total active armed forces numbered approximately 146,000 (Army: 74,000; Navy: 34,000; Air Force: 32,000), with around 29,000 in reserve. This scale represents a dramatic reduction from Cold War levels and falls well short of military forces maintained by other major European powers such as Poland and France.

Underlying Logic: “National Resilience” in the Era of Hybrid Warfare

The defense measures underway in Germany and Britain reflect a fundamental shift in European security thinking. Modern warfare increasingly blurs traditional boundaries—cyberattacks, supply chain disruptions, infrastructure destruction, and disinformation campaigns have transformed nations, economies, and civilians into legitimate targets.

In this context, “national defense” is no longer rhetorical—it has become strategic necessity. Germany is assessing its medical infrastructure and evaluating wartime capacity to handle mass casualties, even considering the reactivation of a 1979 underground nuclear shelter built in Ulm. The UK plans a large-scale domestic defense exercise codenamed “Operation Albion Shadow” in 2027, simulating scenarios involving cyberattacks and critical infrastructure collapse, with cabinet ministers and hundreds of government officials expected to participate.

Despite the heightened readiness posture, both countries face substantial challenges. Germany’s armed forces currently manage around 1,500 facilities in “catastrophic condition,” with ammunition shortfalls estimated between €20 billion and €30 billion. Recruitment remains difficult—63% of young people aged 18 to 29 oppose the reintroduction of conscription. The UK lags behind many European counterparts in key medicine reserves and food supply resilience, with the National Emergency Preparedness Committee warning that its supply chains are “unprepared” for the impact of war with Russia.

Overall, the defense preparations in Germany and Britain primarily reflect strategic deterrence and political signaling rather than an imminent prospect of full-scale war. Nevertheless, the sustained state of tension and the institutionalization of “national resilience” thinking mark a definitive departure from the post–Cold War assumption of permanent peace, ushering in a new era in which preparation for worst-case scenarios is now the norm.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1876737390043147/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.