A ‘Home Guard’ defence force could be established to protect key British infrastructure, it has been claimed.
Part of the upcoming Strategic Defence Review (SDR), the new military branch would be made up of volunteers tasked to defend power plants, airports and telecommunications hubs.
The unit will reportedly be modelled on the well-known WW2 militia formed in the face of possible Nazi invasion in the 1940s, but may also take inspiration from similar Home Guard forces that currently exist in other European countries.
The Home Guard would be a new organisation separate to the army reserves while maintaining a similar structure, according to the Sunday Times.
Active Homes Guards operate in several countries including Denmark, Germany, Norway, Sweden and Ukraine.
The military review will seek to answer calls to increase defence capabilities against the threat of sabotage in an increasingly hostile geopolitical landscape and rising tensions with Russian, North Korea and Iran.
It will emphasise the need for the Royal Navy to do more to protect undersea energy pipelines and internet cables, and will reportedly suggest funding deals with the large tech companies which depend on this infrastructure.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “We will not be drawn into commenting on claims regarding the Strategic Defence Review ahead of publication.
"The UK’s Strategic Defence Review sets out a path for the next decade to transform the armed forces to ensure we’re prepared for emerging threats - making Britain secure at home and strong abroad while transforming defence to drive innovation and economic growth as part of our Plan for Change.
“We have also announced the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War, boosting funding to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, an increase of £13.4 billion in cash terms, with an ambition to reach 3% in the next parliament.”
The anticipated SDR report is also expected to make a strong recommendation to expand the army’s use of drones and unmanned vehicles, following lessons learnt about modern warfare from the ongoing war in Ukraine.
This may include equipping the Royal Navy with sea-drones to operate from one of its carrier warships and the RAF with laser-armed ‘swarming drones’ to deploy from the new Tempest jet fighter, as reported by the Mail on Sunday.
In addition, the review will request new nuclear submarines to replace the current fleet of service-worn vessels, these would be acquired through the UK’s military pact with America and Australia.
The Ministry of Defence has called reports of what the SDR will include “speculative” ahead of the publication which is officially slated for the first half of 2025 and expected before the summer.
