Britain may need to introduce "conscription" to confront the Russian threat, the former head of MI6 has warned.
Sir Alex Younger, who previously led the UK's foreign intelligence service, has urged the Government to compel Britons to "give their service one way or another" in a bid to shore up the UK's defence in an uncertain world.
However, the ex-spy chief indicated that any new type of enrolment would likely stop short of full military service for all citizens.
"In extremis, I think we'd be looking at something like the model I understand exists in places like Sweden, where the Government theoretically has the power to compel people to give their service one way or another, but doesn't exercise it except in areas where it's really needed," Younger told the BBC.
Sweden reintroduced a form of conscription for over-18s in 2017 following Russia's invasion of Crimea.
And Younger clarified he was not advocating for "blanket conscription" across the population.
Instead, he said he was interested in "ways in which the broader country would participate and contribute to security in a time of an emergency".
Security sources told The Mail on Sunday that households should be "ready for all eventualities" to prepare for possible sabotage of the UK's infrastructure by Vladimir Putin's forces.
Families have been advised to prepare 72-hour "survival kits" in case Russian attacks on energy pipelines cause widespread blackouts across Britain.
MORE ON THE RUSSIAN THREAT:
Each emergency stockpile should include enough bottled water and non-perishable food for each family member for three days.
The kits should also contain essential medicines, a battery-powered radio and torch, identity documents and a Swiss army knife.
These precautions come amid heightened awareness of the UK's vulnerability to infrastructure attacks - with nearly 40 per cent of Britain's gas supply is imported from Norway, much of which comes through the single, 700-mile Langeled pipeline.
And recently, Russian activity has been increasing in the North Sea near crucial energy links with continental Europe.
One of Putin's spy ships, the Yantar, was recently detected mapping the UK's critical underwater infrastructure.
Sensors believed to have been planted by Russia to monitor Britain's Vanguard nuclear submarines have also been discovered in coastal waters.
Meanwhile, Putin himself has publicly mocked the state of Britain's armed forces and economy.
Just days ago, the Russian premier said: "[Britain] is jumping on us, behaving aggressively... but their economy is, I think, in the ninth or tenth place in the world," he added.
"Hence the armed forces - what is it, 170,000 or 180,000? That's all the armed forces of the UK!"
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Sir Alex Younger, who previously led the UK's foreign intelligence service, has urged the Government to compel Britons to "give their service one way or another" in a bid to shore up the UK's defence in an uncertain world.
However, the ex-spy chief indicated that any new type of enrolment would likely stop short of full military service for all citizens.
"In extremis, I think we'd be looking at something like the model I understand exists in places like Sweden, where the Government theoretically has the power to compel people to give their service one way or another, but doesn't exercise it except in areas where it's really needed," Younger told the BBC.
Sweden reintroduced a form of conscription for over-18s in 2017 following Russia's invasion of Crimea.
And Younger clarified he was not advocating for "blanket conscription" across the population.
Instead, he said he was interested in "ways in which the broader country would participate and contribute to security in a time of an emergency".
Security sources told The Mail on Sunday that households should be "ready for all eventualities" to prepare for possible sabotage of the UK's infrastructure by Vladimir Putin's forces.
Families have been advised to prepare 72-hour "survival kits" in case Russian attacks on energy pipelines cause widespread blackouts across Britain.
MORE ON THE RUSSIAN THREAT:
- US will not defend Europe if Russia launches an attack, leaked Pentagon document reveals
- Putin's henchman vows to target PRINCE WILLIAM with drone strikes 'if he gets into our sights'
- France to issue 'survival manual' to every household to prepare citizens for 'imminent threats'
Each emergency stockpile should include enough bottled water and non-perishable food for each family member for three days.
The kits should also contain essential medicines, a battery-powered radio and torch, identity documents and a Swiss army knife.
These precautions come amid heightened awareness of the UK's vulnerability to infrastructure attacks - with nearly 40 per cent of Britain's gas supply is imported from Norway, much of which comes through the single, 700-mile Langeled pipeline.
And recently, Russian activity has been increasing in the North Sea near crucial energy links with continental Europe.
One of Putin's spy ships, the Yantar, was recently detected mapping the UK's critical underwater infrastructure.
Sensors believed to have been planted by Russia to monitor Britain's Vanguard nuclear submarines have also been discovered in coastal waters.
Meanwhile, Putin himself has publicly mocked the state of Britain's armed forces and economy.
Just days ago, the Russian premier said: "[Britain] is jumping on us, behaving aggressively... but their economy is, I think, in the ninth or tenth place in the world," he added.
"Hence the armed forces - what is it, 170,000 or 180,000? That's all the armed forces of the UK!"
Find Out More...