[user104658]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

i don't think you understand our commitment to NATO. I'm not suggesting there will be an invasion on our home soil, but there could easily be one in any of the NATO countries bordering Russia. Who do you think guards and defends those borders? We will, as part of NATO, that's the whole point of it

Russian numbers aren't even an issue yet. They haven't done a proper mobilisation yet.

The biggest issue any country has is replenishing ammo, armour and aircraft and Russia have converted over to a war economy. Unless we move to a similar footing, we will get beaten and the first step of that is getting people trained and prepared. Not just to fight on the front line, but to up our game in intelligence and cyber warfare., drone technology etc etc etc

Preparation for war is as much a state of mind as anything else

Right but that involves the armed forces upping recruitment of young people who can be trained in cyber warfare and tech (as I said - pilots, engineers). Fund it, and you'll get plenty of applicants.

It's not Jimmy Jackson who failed foundation maths, plonked in army fatigues, handed a rifle and sent into a trench.

A strong modern military is well funded and highly skilled - not overflowing with random kids who don't want to be there. It's just not the reality of modern warfare.