The Army does an Arsenal

With so few Brits joining up, the Army may need to fill the forces with foreigners, says robert fox

The rates of attrition are now so high for British formations in Afghanistan and Iraq, that the government is considering lifting the quota of allowing only 10 per cent of the forces to be of foreign and Commonwealth origins. "I fear if we go down this route we could be heading towards a mercenary Army in some units," said a senior soldier this week.

Of course, the French army has the Foreign Legion of glorious, and sometimes dubious, reputation. The British forces have had the Gurkhas for a century and a half, and they work to their own special rules but also follow Queen's Regulations, including an oath of allegiance to the Crown. They currently contribute around 3,700 troops.

Fears are growing that the government wants to 'do an Arsenal' with the Army. Arsenal is the Premier League team that

The British forces have had the Gurkhas for a century and a half, they contribute 3,700 troops

consistently puts out the highest number of foreign players, and often has a first team with no British passport holders.

The problems of Afghanistan have been highlighted by the 1st Battalion of the Royal Anglians, a formation of 650 troops who have now recorded 131 casualties; that is killed, wounded in action and otherwise injured.

Service chiefs privately warned that the UK would be pressed to maintain a commitment of 5,000 soldiers in Iraq at the same time as a similar number in Afghanistan. And it's not only the physical casualties; the high level of early resignations - up to 17 per cent of middle rank officers and senior NCOs in some fighting units - is causing concern.

Already there is a large Commonwealth presence in the Army, with Fijians contributing whole companies' worth of soldiers in Scottish regiments. This worries some commanders - "They're fine soldiers, sure but it dilutes the ethos," said one officer. He also points out fact that the UK has nearly 1.5m able-bodied males under 25 who refuse to work
gainfully.