British troops are leading land forces during Exercise Steadfast Dart in Romania (Image: Getty)
British soldiers taking part in ’s biggest war games this year believe the prospect of peacekeeping in could lead to a surge in applications to the .
A senior Army officer has told the Express that British troops are “absolutely” ready to take on the duties if required.
Several servicemen at the Smardan training area in eastern Romania said they believe interest in a soldiering career will rise if the peacekeeping mission, which Prime Minister Sir says he is , was to go ahead.
Cpl Richard Gillen, who only recently rejoined the Army, said: “I think it should do [increase applications].
“Previous conflicts it has done … I think it would be a massive boost.”
Lt Col Gordon Muir expects applications would rise, saying “you join up for the excitement” (Image: James Knuckey)
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He explained soldiers do not join the Army to sit behind desks and that peacekeeping in would be a “new challenge for everyone”.
There around 73,000 troops in the British Army – the smallest it has been since the Napoleonic Wars.
The recruitment crisis is well documented but a new service is being launched in 2027 which the Ministry of Defence says will streamline the application process, making it quicker and easier for people to sign up to serve.
Lt Col Harry Waller, Commanding Officer 4th Regiment Royal Artillery, said he would also expect to see a rise in interest.
He said: “We saw that spike in Afghanistan and we also saw it during the Cold War.
“I think when there is a clear and present danger, it becomes a much more exciting proposition.”
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Lt Col Gordon Muir, Commanding Officer of 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, added: “Over the course of the campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq, there was definitely an upsurge in interest among young people in the UK who wanted to serve, for that adventure and excitement.
“I expect that part of society, young people, would want to go. And that’s a great thing.
“You join up for the excitement, the challenge, and then realise it’s a really worthwhile profession.
“You gain a lot out of it and then, like me, wake up 19 years later and wonder where it’s all gone.”
Almost 3,000 British troops are taking part in Exercise Steadfast Dart, less than 20 miles from Romania’s border with , along with personnel from several other nations.
It is the first deployment of NATO’s new Allied Response Force which is the alliance’s first responders to any threat.
The training has included trench warfare, artillery fire and armoured vehicle manoeuvres in sub-zero conditions.