UK plans to boost ranks of armed forces by offering young people paid military experience amid growing Russian threats.<\/p>\n
Published On 27 Dec 202527 Dec 2025<\/p>\n
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Teenagers in the United Kingdom will be offered paid \u201cgap years\u201d with the armed forces under a new \u201cwhole of society\u201d approach to national defence that aims to increase recruitment among young people, according to reports.<\/p>\n
The London-based i Paper reported on Friday that the UK\u2019s Ministry of Defence hopes the scheme will broaden the appeal of military careers for British youth as tensions with Russia<\/a> rise across Europe.<\/p>\n Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list<\/p>\n The scheme will initially be open to about 150 applicants aged 18 to 25 in early 2026, with ministers aiming to eventually expand the programme to more than 1,000 young people annually, depending on demand, according to British radio LBC.<\/p>\n With fears of threats from Russia growing amid Moscow\u2019s war on Ukraine, European countries have looked to national service<\/a> for young people as a means to boost their ranks, with France, Germany<\/a> and Belgium announcing schemes this year.<\/p>\n Recruits to the UK scheme will not be deployed on active military operations and while pay has not been confirmed, the UK\u2019s LBC news organisation reported that it is expected to match basic recruit salaries, typically about 26,000 pounds, or $35,000.<\/p>\n Under the programme, army recruits would complete 13 weeks of basic training as part of a two-year placement. The navy scheme would last one year while the Royal Air Force (RAF) is still considering options, according to reports.<\/p>\n UK Defence Secretary John Healey told the i Paper: \u201cThis is a new era for Defence, and that means opening up new opportunities for young people.\u201d<\/p>\n News of the programme follows remarks earlier this month from the UK\u2019s Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Richard Knighton, who said Britain\u2019s \u201csons and daughters\u201d should be \u201cready to fight\u201d and defend the country amid Russian aggression, the Press Association reports.<\/p>\n Knighton said that while a direct Russian attack on the UK is unlikely, hybrid threats are intensifying.<\/p>\n